SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR SMART CHARGING TECHNIQUES

• US 20110016063A1
• Filed: 07/19/2010
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gridpoint (Twenty First Century Utilities LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gridpoint (Twenty First Century Utilities LLC)
• Inventors: Bridges, Seth W., POLLACK, Seth B.
• Application Number:
  US12/839,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016063A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2210/30 AC to DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/80 Time limits
• 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 53/65 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 53/67 Controlling two or more charging stations
• 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: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0208 Trade or exchange of goods or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/38 Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/04 Regulation of charging current or voltage
• 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 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 : Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

A system and methods that enables smart charging techniques. A smart charging method may include periodically updated schedules. In addition, a smart charging method may include schedules with overrides. Further, a smart charging may involve a method for local load management in the presence of uncontrolled loads. A smart charging method for managing electric resources may also provide direct control over prices-to-devices enabled devices.

Claims

1. A method for smart charging via periodically updated schedules, comprising the steps:

periodically transmitting a charging schedule via a network from a server to a plurality of electric resources;

receiving, by at least one of the plurality of electric resources, the charging schedule via the network from the server; and

,

replacing a prior charging schedule with the received charging schedule, wherein the prior charging schedule controlled charging behavior for the at least one of the plurality of electric resources.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric resources are distributed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric resources are electric vehicles.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the server is a central energy management server.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging schedule provides charging behavior for each one of the plurality of electric resources.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the charging schedule defines average power-level constraints for the plurality of electrical resources.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the average power-level constraints are based on a fixed time interval over a time period of charging schedule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the average power-level constraints are based on a percent of time during a time interval that at least one of the plurality of electrical resources charges at maximum charge power.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the time interval is fixed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of electrical resources consumes energy at a percent of the maximum charge power during the time interval that the at least one of the plurality of electrical resources charges at the maximum charge power, wherein the percent of the maximum charge power is equivalent to a percent corresponding to a percent of time during the time interval that the at least one of the plurality of electrical resources charges at the maximum charge power.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

immediately enacting the received charging schedule.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing unreported information in a database in the at least one of the plurality of electric resources, wherein the unreported information selected from a group consisting of the following;

energy consumption, current power-level, battery state of charge, or energy transfers.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the unreported information to the server when the at least one of the plurality of electric resources connects with the server.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, by at least one of the plurality of electric resources, a schedule update to the server.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the schedule update is transmitted at a fixed time period.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fixed time period is determined by the charging schedule.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the schedule update comprises current-state information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the current-state information comprises energy consumption, current power-level, battery state of charge, or unreported energy transfers.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scheduling charging of each of the plurality of electric resources at a time different from one another; and

preventing a sudden peak in load demand from the plurality of electric resources.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

managing electrical loads for the plurality of electric resources based on charging schedules for the plurality of electric resources,

wherein the step of managing the electrical loads is performed on at least one particular machine, said at least one particular machine comprising at least one physical computing device.

21. A method for smart charging via schedules with overrides, comprising the steps:

periodically transmitting a default charging schedule via a network from a server to a plurality of electric resources;

receiving, by at least one of the plurality of electric resources, the default charging schedule via the network from the server;

transmitting a charging schedule override from the server to the at least one of the plurality of electric resources; and

, overriding the default charging schedule with the charging schedule override, wherein the charging schedule override modifies charging behavior for the at least one of the plurality of electric resources.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override is transmitted in real-time.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the default charging schedule is beneficial in the local environment.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override is transmitted in response to an unpredicted operational demand.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override is transmitted in response to a power shortage.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override is transmitted in response to a power surplus.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override is transmitted in response to an unscheduled event.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override increases energy consumption.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the charging schedule override decreases energy consumption.

30. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

selectively transmitting real-time charging schedule overrides to the plurality of electric resources; and

managing electrical loads for the plurality of electric resources based on default charging schedules for the plurality of electric resources and the selective transmissions of charging schedule overrides,

wherein the step of managing the electrical loads is performed on at least one particular machine, said at least one particular machine comprising at least one physical computing device.

31. A method for local load management in the presence of uncontrolled loads, comprising the steps:

receiving, at a server, power levels for a plurality of electric resources, wherein the plurality of electric resources are located at a site;

determining a total power level for the plurality of electric resources, wherein the plurality of electric resources comprise controlled electric resources and uncontrolled electric resources;

determining a controlled power level for the controlled electric resources, wherein the controlled power level is adjustable via the server;

determining an uncontrolled power level for the uncontrolled electric resources based on the total power level and the controlled power level, wherein the uncontrolled power level is unadjustable via the server; and

,

managing the total power level for the plurality of electric resources based on the said determinations, wherein the step of managing the total power level is performed on at least one particular machine, said at least one particular machine comprising at least one physical computing device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the electric resources are electric vehicles.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of determining the uncontrolled power level is based on a power level variance between the controlled power level and the total power level.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of determining the uncontrolled power level comprises subtracting the controlled power level from the total power level.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of managing the total power level comprises adjusting the controlled power level based on a power level variance between the total power level and the uncontrolled power level.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of managing the total power level comprises decreasing the controlled power level by an amount substantially equal to an increase in the uncontrolled power level.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of managing the total power level comprises increasing the controlled power level by an amount substantially equal to a decrease in the uncontrolled power level.

38. The method of claim 35, 36, or 37, further comprising:

preventing the total power level from exceeding a threshold.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the threshold is a maximum capacity of a branch circuit at the site.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of managing the total power level comprises utilizing a branch circuit at the site at approximately maximum capacity.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of managing the total power level comprises reducing an utility demand charge.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of electric resources that are located at the site are on a single branch circuit.

43. The method of claim 31, wherein the server has real-time access to the plurality of electric resources.

44. A method for managing electric resources with direct control over prices-to-devices enabled devices, comprising the steps:

determining an energy price for a plurality of electric resources, wherein the plurality of electric resources comprise prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources have configurable rules for determining charging behavior based an energy price;

adjusting the energy price for at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources;

transmitting, from a server, the adjusted energy price to the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources; and

,

managing charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the step of managing the charging behavior is performed on at least one particular machine, said at least one particular machine comprising at least one physical computing device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of adjusting the energy price comprises:

determining a threshold price from the configurable rules for the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources charges only when the energy price is below the threshold price, wherein the server has access to the configurable rules for determining charging of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources; and

increasing the energy price above the threshold price, whereby the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources curtails charging.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of adjusting the energy price comprises:

determining a threshold price from the configurable rules for the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources charges only when the energy price is below the threshold price, wherein the server has access to the configurable rules for determining charging of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources; and

decreasing the energy price below the threshold price, whereby the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources initiates charging.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of adjusting the energy price comprises:

determining a profile of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources via a series of progressive price adjustments, wherein the profile comprises profile rules for determining charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the configurable rules for determining charging of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources are unaccessible to the server, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources has a smart metering device or software;

determining a threshold price from the profile rules for the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources charges only when the energy price is below the threshold price, increasing the energy price above the threshold price, whereby the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources curtails charging.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of adjusting the energy price comprises:

determining a profile of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources via a series of progressive price adjustments, wherein the profile comprises profile rules for determining charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the configurable rules for determining charging of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources are unaccessible to the server, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources has a smart metering device or software;

determining a threshold price from the profile rules for the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources charges only when the energy price is below the threshold price, decreasing the energy price above the threshold price, whereby the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources initiates charging.

49. The method of claim 47 or 48, wherein the step of determining a profile comprises:

adjusting the energy price;

transmitting the adjusted energy price to the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources;

monitoring a resulting charging behavior adjustment in the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the resulting charging behavior adjustment is based on a response of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources to the adjusted energy price;

determining a subsequent price adjustment based on resulting charging behavior adjustment; and

,

iteratively repeating the said steps in order to determine profile rules for determining charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of managing the charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources comprises:

transmitting energy prices determined to trigger a desired charge behavior in the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the determined energy prices are based on the configurable rules for determining charging of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources.

51. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of managing the charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources comprises:

transmitting energy prices determined to trigger a desired charge behavior in the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the determined energy prices are based on a profile of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, wherein the profile is determined by an iterative process comprising price adjustments.

52. The method of claim 44, wherein the step of managing the charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources comprises matching the charging behavior to an external signal, wherein the external signal is selected from a group consisting of the following:

automated generation control (AGC) signals, grid stabilization signal, or a renewable energy signal.

53. The method of claim 44, wherein the energy price is adjusted in order to control charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources, and wherein the adjusted energy price is different from a cost of electricity corresponding to the charging behavior of the at least one of the prices-to-devices enabled electric resources.