HIGH SPEED FEEDBACK ADJUSTMENT OF POWER CHARGE/DISCHARGE FROM ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

• US 20140214226A1
• Filed: 02/03/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stem, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stem, Inc.
• Inventors: REINECCIUS, Stacey, ERHART, David, SELLERS, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,136,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for control of power charge/discharge from energy storage system. The invention also provides for power monitoring and management. A smart charge system may include a system sensor, one or more energy storage units, and a controller, which may receive information about the power demand, power provided by an electricity provider, and charge/discharge information from an energy storage unit. The information received may all be time synchronized in relation to a time based reference. The controller may provide instructions to an energy storage unit at a rapid rate.

Claims

1. A smart charge system, comprising:

a control computer;

a system sensor configured to measure power drawn by at least one premises load, and to send system sensor information to the control computer, the system sensor information comprising an indication of the power drawn and a timestamp corresponding to the time at which the power drawn is measured; and

at least one energy storage unit configured to switch between at least two modes of operation, monitor a current state of charge of the energy storage unit, and send energy storage unit information comprising the current state of charge to the control computer, wherein the at least two modes of operation include a charge mode and a discharge mode;

the control computer being configured to switch the mode of operation of the at least one energy storage unit between the charge mode and the discharge mode based on the system sensor information and the energy storage unit information.

2. The smart charge system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of energy storage units.

3. The smart charge system of claim 1, wherein the control computer controls the mode of operation for each of the plurality of energy storage units.

4. The smart charge system of claim 1, wherein the system sensor monitors power at a sample rate greater than or equal to 1/60^th Hz.

5. The smart charge system of claim 1, wherein the information received from the system sensor and the at least one energy storage unit is time stamped according to a time synchronization reference.

6. The smart charge system of claim 5, wherein the time synchronization reference is obtained from a GPS signal.

7. The smart charge system of claim 1, wherein the control computer receives the information from the system sensor and the at least one energy storage unit via powerline communications.

8. A method of power monitoring and management, comprising:

measuring power drawn by at least one premises load via a system sensor;

sending system sensor information to a control computer, the system sensor information comprising an indication of the power drawn and a timestamp corresponding to the time at which the power drawn is measured;

monitoring a current state of charge of at least one energy storage unit configured to switch between a charge mode and a discharge mode;

sending energy storage unit information comprising the current state of charge to the control computer; and

transmitting, from a control computer to at least one energy storage unit, a mode switch instruction to switch the mode of operation of the energy storage unit between the charge mode and the discharge mode based on the system sensor information and the energy storage unit information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the bi-directional inverter-charger comprises a circuit that functions as an inverter when current flows in a first direction through the circuit and as a rectifier when current flows in a second direction through the circuit.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one energy storage unit comprises a plurality of energy storage units.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the control computer controls the mode of operation for each of the plurality of energy storage units.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the system sensor monitors power at a sample rate greater than or equal to 1/60^th Hz.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the information received from the system sensor and the at least one energy storage unit is time stamped according to a time synchronization reference.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the control computer receives the information from the system sensor and the at least one energy storage unit via powerline communications.