SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE POWER FLOW MANAGEMENT

• US 20110004358A1
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gridpoint (Twenty First Century Utilities LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gridpoint (Twenty First Century Utilities LLC)
• Inventors: Axelrod, Zachary, Lafky, Joby, Bridges, Seth W., Pollack, Seth B.
• Application Number:
  US12/751,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20110004358A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/297
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/18 Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/63 in response to network capacity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/64 Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/65 involving identification of vehicles or their battery types
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/12 : Remote or cooperative charging
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

A system and methods that enables power flow management at the local level. A power flow manager can coordinate the charging activities of electrical devices, such as electric vehicles. Power flow decisions may based on the site-level information. In addition, power flow management strategies may be optimized. An optimizer can choose a power flow management strategy and electrical devices for implementing a strategy. In the event of a system failure, power spikes may be avoided by using safe failure modes to provide that the charging activities be coordinated in a predictable and non-disruptive manner. The cost of providing power may be reduced using generation stacks of power production. As such, the total daily cost of providing energy generation may be minimized.

Claims

1. A method for managing power flow at a local site, comprising the steps:

site-level charging of a plurality of electrical devices by a power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager runs a smart charging program, wherein the power flow manager coordinates charging activities of the plurality of electrical devices, wherein the plurality of electrical devices are located at the local site;

receiving site-level information, wherein the site-level information is received by the power flow manager;

making power flow decisions based on the site-level information, wherein the power flow decisions are made by the power flow manager; and

,

managing power flow to the plurality of electrical devices by the power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager responds to requests.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow manager is a central server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow manager is located at the local site.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow manager is located remotely from the local site.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the site-level information is selected from a group consisting of the following:

electrical meter data for the local site, electrical meter data for at least one charge point;

information from at least one of the plurality of electrical devices;

electric rate information for the local site;

electrical topology information;

power limitation information;

or priority rules.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the requests are selected from the group consisting of the following:

demand response event, reserves call, renewable resource following, or system regulation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one of the plurality of electrical.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one charge point.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow decisions are selected from the group consisting of the following:

to provide power, to draw power, to control power levels.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow decisions are made based on constraints, priorities, optimizations, or efficiencies.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the power flow decisions are implemented by an action selected from the group consisting of the following:

controlling relays to open close circuits;

communicating to charging points to control circuits or devices on the circuits;

communicating to at least one of the plurality of devices to provide a command for power flow behavior.

13. A system for managing power flow at a local site, comprising:

a power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager coordinates charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices, wherein the plurality of electrical devices are located at the local site;

a plurality of charge points connected to the power flow manger, wherein the plurality of charge points are operable to connect to the plurality of electrical devices, wherein the plurality of charge points are located at the local site;

site-level information, wherein the site-level information is received by the power flow manager; and

,

power flow decisions based on the site-level information, wherein the power flow decisions are made by the power flow manager.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the power flow manager is a central server.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the power flow manager is located at the local site.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the power flow manager is located remotely from the local site.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the site-level information is selected from a group consisting of the following:

electrical meter data for the local site, electrical meter data for at least one charge point;

information from at least one of the plurality of electrical devices;

electric rate information for the local site;

electrical topology information;

power limitation information;

or priority rules.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one charge point.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one of the plurality of electrical.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one of the plurality of electrical via at least one charge point.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the power flow manager communicates with at least one of the plurality of electrical via a wireless connection.

23. A system for managing power flow for optimization of multiple power flow management strategies, comprising:

a power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager coordinates charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices;

power flow services, wherein the power flow services are controlled by the power flow manager;

power flow management strategies, wherein the power flow management strategies are implemented by the power flow manager; and

,

a meta-optimizer, wherein the meta-optimizer chooses at least one of the power flow management strategies, wherein the meta-optimizer chooses at least one of the electrical devices to utilize for implementing the at least one of the power flow management strategies.

24. The system of claim of 23, wherein the power flow services are selected from a group consisting of the following:

regulation, spinning reserve, peak avoidance, or renewable generation following.

25. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on maximizing value generated.

26. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on minimizing environmental impact.

27. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on a value function associated with the at least one of the power flow management strategies.

28. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on a grid topological location.

29. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on multiple component requirements.

30. The system of claim of 23, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on predictions.

31. The system of claim of 23, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

32. A method for managing power flow by optimizing multiple power flow management strategies, comprising:

coordinating charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices, wherein the charge activities are coordinated by a power flow manager;

controlling power flow services, wherein the power flow services are controlled by the power flow manager;

choosing at least one of the power flow management strategies, wherein the at least one of the power flow management strategies is chosen by a meta-optimizer;

choosing at least one of the electrical devices to utilize for implementing the at least one of the power flow management strategies, wherein the at least one of the electrical devices is chosen by the meta-optimizer; and

,

implementing power flow management strategies, wherein the power flow management strategies are implemented by the power flow manager.

33. The method of claim of 32, wherein the power flow services are selected from a group consisting of the following:

regulation, spinning reserve, peak avoidance, or renewable generation following.

34. The method of claim of 32, wherein the meta-optimizer choices are based on factors selected from a group consisting of the following:

maximizing value generated;

minimizing environmental impact;

a value function associated with the at least one of the power flow management strategies;

a grid topological location;

multiple component requirements;

or predictions.

35. The method of claim of 32, wherein the meta-optimizer is the power flow manager.

36. The method of claim of 32, wherein the power flow manager is a site power flow manager that managing power flow at a local site.

37. The method of claim of 32, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

38. A system for managing power flow using safe failure modes, comprising:

a power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager coordinates charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices;

a system failure event; and

,

a safe failure mode, wherein the safe failure mode is implemented by the power flow manager, wherein the safe failure mode provides that the charging activities be coordinated in a predictable and non-disruptive manner.

39. The system of claim of 38, wherein the system failure event is generated as a result of an introduction of a smart charging or energy management system.

40. The system of claim of 38, wherein the system failure event results in a spike in electricity demand.

41. The system of claim of 38, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a failure in communications between the plurality of electrical devices and a master controller.

42. The system of claim of 38, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a failure in a controller, wherein the controller is incapable of communicating with the plurality of electrical devices.

43. The system of claim of 38, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a design defect shared by the plurality of electrical devices causing the plurality of electrical devices to simultaneously lose communications capabilities.

44. The system of claim of 38, wherein the safe failure mode comprises maintaining a stable non-changing behavior for a defined period of time around a failure event.

45. The system of claim of 38, wherein the safe failure mode comprises executing a prearranged behavior in the event of a failure condition.

46. The system of claim of 38, wherein the safe failure mode comprises executing state transitions in prearranged behaviors at a determined time offset by a random interval of time.

47. The system of claim of 38, wherein the safe failure mode comprises using predictions about resource behaviors.

48. The system of claim of 38, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

49. A method for managing power flow using safe failure modes, comprising:

coordinating charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices, wherein the charge activities are coordinated by a power flow manager;

detecting a system failure event, wherein the system failure event is detected by a power flow manager; and

,

implementing a safe failure mode, wherein the safe failure mode is implemented by the power flow manager, wherein the safe failure mode provides that the charging activities be coordinated in a predictable and non-disruptive manner.

50. The method of claim of 49, wherein the system failure event is generated as a result of an introduction of a smart charging or energy management system.

51. The method of claim of 49, wherein the system failure event results in a spike in electricity demand.

52. The method of claim of 49, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a failure in communications between the plurality of electrical devices and a master controller.

53. The method of claim of 49, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a failure in a controller, wherein the controller is incapable of communicating with the plurality of electrical devices.

54. The method of claim of 49, wherein the system failure event occurs as a result of a design defect shared by the plurality of electrical devices causing the plurality of electrical devices to simultaneously lose communications capabilities.

55. The method of claim of 49, wherein the safe failure mode comprises maintaining a stable non-changing behavior for a defined period of time around a failure event.

56. The method of claim of 49, wherein the safe failure mode comprises executing a prearranged behavior in the event of a failure condition.

57. The method of claim of 49, wherein the safe failure mode comprises executing state transitions in prearranged behaviors at a determined time offset by a random interval of time.

58. The method of claim of 49, wherein the safe failure mode comprises using predictions about resource behaviors.

59. The method of claim 49, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

60. A system for managing power flow using generation stacks of power production to reduce cost of providing power to electrical devices, comprising:

a power flow manager, wherein the power flow manager coordinates charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices;

a power production stack, wherein the power flow manager controls the power production stack, wherein the power production stack orders available power; and

,

a dispatchable load, wherein the dispatchable load is listed in the power production stack, wherein the dispatchable load is removed based on a cost reduction strategy.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the available power is ordered based on power prices ordered from cheapest to most expensive.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the dispatchable load is the most expensive load listed in the power production stack.

63. The system of claim 60, wherein the available power is provided by a plurality of power producers.

64. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to decrease a cost of providing power services to the plurality of electrical devices.

65. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to decrease a cost of providing power services to the plurality of electrical devices, wherein the cost is a daily cost.

66. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to minimize a cost based on the power production stack.

67. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to dispatch the most expensive load.

68. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy is based on a region.

69. The system of claim 60, wherein the cost reduction strategy comprises forecasting the dispatchable load.

70. The system of claim 60, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

71. A method for managing power flow using generation stacks of power production to reduce cost of providing power to electrical devices, comprising:

coordinating charging activities of a plurality of electrical devices, wherein the charge activities are coordinated by a power flow manager;

controlling a power production stack, wherein the power flow manager controls the power production stack, wherein the power production stack orders available power;

removing a dispatchable load, wherein the dispatchable load is listed in the power production stack, wherein the dispatchable load is removed based on a cost reduction strategy.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the available power is ordered based on power prices ordered from cheapest to most expensive.

73. The system of claim 71, wherein the dispatchable load is the most expensive load listed in the power production stack.

74. The system of claim 71, wherein the available power is provided by a plurality of power producers.

75. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to decrease a cost of providing power services to the plurality of electrical devices.

76. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to decrease a cost of providing power services to the plurality of electrical devices, wherein the cost is a daily cost.

77. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to minimize a cost based on the power production stack.

78. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy is to dispatch the most expensive load.

79. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy is based on a region.

80. The system of claim 71, wherein the cost reduction strategy comprises forecasting the dispatchable load.

81. The system of claim 71, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.

82. The method of claim 71, wherein the electrical devices are electric vehicles.