Patent Application
20120200260
This invention relates generally to systems for electric grid balancing, and relates more particularly to such systems for electric grid balancing with electric vehicle charging stations and methods of using and providing the same.
Imbalances in the quantity of electricity being provided to an electric grid and the quantity of electric load imposed on the electric grid can destabilize the electric grid, possibly damaging the electric grid and causing electricity to be unavailable to consumers. Accordingly, electricity suppliers employ electric load balancing to address changes in the electric load on the electricity suppliers' electric grids that result from fluctuating demand for electricity by consumers to ensure that the supply of electricity (e.g., the quantity of electricity provided) and the demand for electricity (e.g., the quantity of electric load imposed) remain as nearly balanced as possible. This electric load balancing can be applied from the standpoint of the supply side (i.e., matching the supply to the demand) as well as the demand side (i.e., matching the demand to the supply).
With respect to the supply side, electricity suppliers conventionally maintain various forms of electricity reserves to conduct electric load balancing, adjusting the supply of electricity to match the demand. One form of electricity reserve, for example, is referred to as the spinning reserve. The spinning reserve represents the sum of any additional generating capacity of electricity available in the presently operating power plants of the respective electric grid. Another form of electricity reserve is the non-spinning reserve, which represents the sum of any additional generating capacity available to the electric grid with a momentary delay. Generally speaking, the non-spinning reserve can be supplied by fast-start electricity generators, but can also be supplied in some cases by other interconnected electric grids. Yet another possible reserve is the replacement reserve which includes any remaining electricity available to the electric grid that requires greater than a momentary delay (e.g., typically 30-60 minutes) to supply. In short, using electricity reserves, electricity suppliers can first adjust the generating output of presently operating generators and then can resort to bringing additional generators online or shutting them down, as necessary.
In addition to electricity reserves, various other electric load balancing techniques are employed or have been proposed for use. For example, one technique includes local load control, which refers to timing and/or regulating the occurrences of duty cycles of any of various electric loads (e.g., appliances, etc.) to the control the electric load on the electric grid. Thus, local load control focuses on the demand side of electric load balancing. Still, a more recently employed electric load balancing technique includes vehicle-to-grid electric load balancing, a form of a broader concept referred to as battery-to-grid electric load balancing in which recharge energy storage systems (e.g., traction batteries for electric vehicles) are used to provide and receive electricity to and from an electric grid to buffer changing electric loads on the electric grid. Thus, vehicle-to-grid electric load balancing essentially provides a hybrid approach to electric load balancing that can be thought of as addressing the supply side and/or the demand side.
Nonetheless, existing techniques for electric load balancing have various disadvantages. For example, maintaining electricity reserves can result in significant expense to electricity suppliers both in terms of operational costs and lost potential sales of electricity. Likewise, electricity reserves can also result in negative environmental impacts as power plants, which are primarily fueled by fossil fuels as opposed to cleaner energy solutions, are constantly operated to maintain the reserve electricity. Meanwhile, local load balancing can require not only consent by consumers to implement, but can also place an undesirable burden on consumers (e.g., requiring consumers to forego using one or more electrically powered devices as desired) and/or can require active involvement by consumers (e.g., requiring consumers to elect which electrically powered devices to forego). Even vehicle-to-grid electric load balancing can result in undesirable wear on the rechargeable energy storage systems (e.g., traction battery chemistries) and decrease the operational life of the rechargeable energy storage systems.
Accordingly, a need or potential for benefit exists for a system of electric load balancing that reduces cost to electricity suppliers and reduces environmental impacts while minimizing the burdens of electric load balancing on consumers.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be mechanically or otherwise coupled together; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled together, but not be electrically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.
“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a power signal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electrical signals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types.
The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
The term “real time” is defined with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically possible upon occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event can comprise receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to otherwise process information. Because of delays inherent in transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term “real time” encompasses operations that occur in “near” real time or somewhat delayed from a triggering event.
As used herein, the term “electric grid” follows the conventionally understood definition of the term (e.g., any electrical network configured to deliver electricity from one or more suppliers (e.g., utility companies, etc.) to consumers). Accordingly, the term “electric grid” should be broadly understood to include one or more electrical networks of varying scale. For example, “electric grid” can include an electrical network defined by a geographical area (e.g., one or more continents, countries, states, municipalities, ZIP codes, regions, etc.) and/or defined by some other context (e.g., the electrical network of a local utility company, etc.).
The term “computer network” is defined as a collection of computers and devices interconnected by communications channels that facilitate communications among users and allows users to share resources (e.g., an internet connection, an Ethernet connection, etc.). The computers and devices can be interconnected according to any conventional network topology (e.g., bus, star, tree, linear, ring, mesh, etc.).
Some embodiments include a method for operating an electric vehicle charging station. At least part of the method can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more memory storage modules. The method can comprise: executing one or more first computer instructions configured to draw a transfer quantity of electricity from at least one electric grid with the electric vehicle charging station to provide the transfer quantity of electricity to a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle, the rechargeable energy storage system being electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station, wherein the at least one electric grid comprises a total quantity of electricity, the total quantity of electricity comprises the transfer quantity of electricity, and the total quantity of electricity comprises a grid electric voltage and a grid electric frequency; executing one or more second computer instructions configured to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an inadequate value of at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency; and after executing the one or more second computer instructions, executing one or more third computer instructions configured to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to provide the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle with a predetermined charge quantity of electricity. The computer instructions can comprise the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.
Various embodiments include a method of balancing at least one electric grid. At least part of the method can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more memory storage modules. The method can comprise: executing one or more first computer instructions configured to provide a transfer quantity of electricity from at least one electric grid to an electric vehicle charging station configured to provide the transfer quantity of electricity to a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle, the rechargeable energy storage system being electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station, wherein the at least one electric grid comprises a total quantity of electricity, and the total quantity of electricity comprises the transfer quantity of electricity; executing one or more second computer instructions configured to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an unsuitable amount of a demand for the total quantity of electricity; and after executing the one or more second computer instructions, executing one or more third computer instructions configured to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station in order to satisfy a charge request for a sufficient quantity of electricity to provide the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle with a charge quantity of electricity. The computer instructions can comprise the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.
Further embodiments include a system comprising an electric vehicle charging station. The electric vehicle charging station can comprise a charge module and a command module. The charge module can be configured to draw a transfer quantity of electricity from at least one electric grid and to provide the transfer quantity of electricity to a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle. The rechargeable energy storage system can be configured to be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station. The at least one electric grid can comprise a total quantity of electricity, and the total quantity of electricity can comprise the transfer quantity of electricity. The total quantity of electricity comprises a grid electric voltage and a grid electric frequency. The command module can be configured to instruct the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an inadequate value of at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency. After instructing the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, the command module can be configured to instruct the charge module to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to provide that the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle receives a charge quantity of electricity.
Other embodiments include a method of providing a system. The method can comprise: providing a charge module of an electric vehicle charging station, the charge module being configured to draw a transfer quantity of electricity from at least one electric grid and to provide the transfer quantity of electricity to a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle, the rechargeable energy storage system being configured to electrically couple to the electric vehicle charging station; and providing a command module of the electric vehicle charging station. The at least one electric grid can comprise a total quantity of electricity, the total quantity of electricity can comprise the transfer quantity of electricity, and the total quantity of electricity can comprise a grid electric voltage and a grid electric frequency In many embodiments, the command module can be configured to instruct the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an inadequate value of at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency. After instructing the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, the command module can be configured to instruct the charge module to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to provide that the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle receives a charge quantity of electricity.
Still other embodiments include a method for operating an electric vehicle charging station. At least part of the method can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more memory storage modules. The method can comprise: executing one or more first computer instructions configured to draw a transfer quantity of electricity from at least one electric grid with the electric vehicle charging station to provide the transfer quantity of electricity to a rechargeable energy storage system of an electric vehicle electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station, wherein the at least one electric grid comprises a total quantity of electricity, the total quantity of electricity comprises the transfer quantity of electricity, and the total quantity of electricity comprises a grid electric voltage and a grid electric frequency; executing one or more second computer instructions configured to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an inadequate value of at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency; and after executing the one or more second computer instructions, executing one or more third computer instructions configured to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from the at least one electric grid and being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle, after executing the one or more second instructions, to provide either (a) that the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle receives a predetermined charge quantity of electricity or (b) that an average amount of electricity is provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle over a duration of time, wherein the average amount of electricity is the transfer quantity of electricity pursuant to executing the one or more first computer instructions drawn from the at least one electric grid with the electric vehicle charging station. The computer instructions can comprise the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.
Turning to the drawings,
System 100 comprises electric vehicle charging station 101, charge module 102, and command module 103. System 100 can also comprise at least one electric grid 104, rechargeable energy storage system 105, electric vehicle 106, centralized computer system 108, and/or charging station computer 112. Further, system 100 can comprise communication module 107, decision module 109, measurement module 110, and/or calculation module 111. In some embodiments, centralized computer system 108 and/or charging station computer 112 can be omitted.
Electric vehicle charging station 101 can comprise charge module 102. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 can also comprise command module 103 (e.g., such that command module 103 can be located at and/or can be part of electric vehicle charging station 101), and in other embodiments, centralized computer system 108 can comprise command module 103 (e.g., in which case command module 103 can be separate from and/or located apart from electric vehicle charging station 101). In many embodiments, electric vehicle 106 can comprise rechargeable energy storage system 105. In some embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or command module 103 can comprise charging station computer 112. In many embodiments, command module 103, charging station computer 112, and/or centralized computer system 108 can comprise communication module 107, decision module 109, measurement module 110, and/or calculation module 111.
In many embodiments, command module 103 can be configured to communicate with charge module 102, and/or vice versa, such as, for example, via communication module 107. Further, command module 103, charging station computer 112, and/or centralized computer system 108 can be configured to communicate with each other, as applicable, such as, for example, via communication module 107.
Electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charge module 102 are configured to be electrically coupled with electric grid(s) 104. In some embodiments, electric grid(s) 104 can comprise multiple electric grids coupled together. The multiple electric grids can have the effect of operating as a single electric grid though comprising multiple electric grids. In many embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charging module 102 can be electrically coupled with electric grid(s) 104.
Charge module 102 is configured to draw electricity (e.g., a transfer quantity of electricity) from electric grid(s) 104 and to provide the electricity (e.g., the transfer quantity of electricity) to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 (e.g., to electrically charge rechargeable energy storage system 105). Rechargeable energy storage system 105 is configured to be electrically coupled to electric vehicle charging station 101, and in some embodiments, rechargeable energy storage system 105 can be electrically coupled to electric vehicle charging station 101. In addition to the transfer quantity of electricity, charge module 102 can also be configured to draw an operational quantity of electricity from electric grid(s) 104 to electrically power electric vehicle charging station 101. Electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charge module 102 can be configured to draw up to a maximum quantity of electricity (e.g., 6 kilowatts) from electric grid 104. Meanwhile, the transfer quantity can be less than the maximum quantity of electricity and, in many examples, can be approximately half of the maximum quantity of electricity (e.g., 3 kilowatts). By drawing less than the maximum quantity of electricity, electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charge module 102 can have the flexibility to increase and decrease the transfer quantity of electricity as desired.
Electric grid(s) 104 can comprise a total quantity of electricity (e.g., the sum of all the electricity present in electric grid(s) 104). The total quantity of electricity comprises a total electric voltage (e.g., a grid electric voltage) and a total (i.e., grid) electric frequency (e.g., the average frequency of the total quantity of electricity). The total quantity of electricity can comprise the transfer quantity of electricity and the operational quantity of electricity. Both the transfer quantity of electricity and the operational quantity of electricity each also comprise electric voltages and frequencies. These electric voltages and frequencies can be the same for both the transfer quantity of electricity and the operational quantity of electricity or can be different. Likewise, each can be the same as or different than the total electric voltage and/or total electric frequency, respectively.
Meanwhile, command module 103 is configured to instruct and/or control charge module 102 to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from electric grid(s) 104 and being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 in order to compensate for a change in and/or an inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency. In many embodiments, it can be desirable that the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency remain approximately constant at a predetermined (e.g., adequate and/or suitable) value (e.g., 120 volts (V)±5 percent (%) at 60 Hertz (Hz), 230 voltages±6% at 50 Hz, etc.). For example, the predetermined value can be determined by one or more utility companies operating electric grid(s) 104. Accordingly, the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency can indicate the presence of an imbalance in electric grid(s) 104. Specifically, the total electric voltage is approximately directly proportional to the total electric load on electric grid(s) 104, a change in which can thus indicate an increase or decrease in the electricity available from electric grid(s) 104. For example, as an electricity supplier increases or decreases the electricity supplied to the electric grid(s) 104, so too will the total electric voltage increase or decrease, respectively. Likewise, the change in total electric frequency indirectly corresponds to the change in the total electric voltage, and as a result, can also correspond to a change in the demand for the total quantity of electricity. Namely, changes (e.g., imbalances) in the ratio of the supply of and demand for electricity on electric grid(s) 104 create deviations in the total electric frequency of the total quantity of electricity from the frequency at which the total quantity of electricity has been standardized (e.g., 50 Hertz, 60 Hertz, etc.). For example, the frequency of electricity is directly related to the speed of rotation of the electric generators supplying electricity to electric grid(s) 104. A sudden increase in electric load on electric grid(s) 104 can cause slowing in the electric generators supplying electricity to electric grid(s) 104, resulting in measureable deviations in the total electric frequency that are indicative of the increased electric load on electric grid(s) 104, or vice versa. The degree of deviation can thus be correlated to an increase or a decrease in the available electricity in and/or the electric load on electric grid(s) 104.
Importantly, as touched on above, these changes in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency can represent more than imbalances in the total quantity of electricity resulting from applied changes in supply and demand of electricity. For example, in what generally results in a more serious imbalance, a failure or trip of one or more of the electric generators and/or transmission lines, of which electric grid(s) 104 is comprised, can cause excessive load in electric grid(s) 104 that can damage electric grid(s) 104 and potentially knockout part or all of electric grid(s) 104. Therefore, balancing the total electricity can be important not only to buffer applied changes to electric grid(s) 104, but also as a safety guard for electric grid(s) 104.
By adjusting the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from electric grid(s) 104 and being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106, charge module 102 can contribute to balancing electric grid(s) 104 by increasing or decreasing the total electric voltage of electric grid(s) 104. For example, if the supply of electricity in electric grid(s) 104 increases (i.e., the total electric voltage increases), charge module 102 can throttle up the transfer quantity of electricity (e.g., increasing the transfer quantity of electricity from 3 kilowatts to 4 kilowatts) in order to reduce the stress imposed on electric grid(s) 104, or vice versa when the demand for electricity decreases. Thus, contrary to vehicle-to-grid electric load balancing techniques, which also employ electric vehicle charging stations as described above, electric load balancing can be accomplished by system 100 without requiring two-way flow of electricity between rechargeable energy storage system 105 and electric grid(s) 104, sparing wear on rechargeable energy storage system 105. The transfer quantity of electricity can simply be throttled up or down in real time based on the status of electric grid(s) 104 in order to balance the total electric voltage of electric grid(s) 104, thereby reducing or removing the need to resort to operating costly electricity reserves or other less favorable electric load balancing techniques to accomplish the same. Although a single electric vehicle charging station 101 may have only minimal effect on balancing electric grid(s) 104, multiple electric vehicle charging stations comprising electric vehicle charging station 101, when operated cumulatively in coordination with each other, can provide substantial electric load balancing effects. Accordingly, in many embodiments, the operations of the multiple electric vehicle charging stations can be coordinated together by a central computer system such as centralized computer system 108, as described below. Meanwhile, by coordinating the multiple electric vehicle charging stations comprising electric vehicle charging station 101, the electric load balancing can be spread out across electric grid(s) 104 such that the electric load balancing balances electric grid(s) 104 more proportionately throughout, thereby mitigating and/or preventing localized issues.
In various embodiments, command module 103 can be configured to instruct and/or control charge module 102 to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from electric grid(s) 104 and being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 in order to compensate for at least one of a change in or an inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency when the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency vary when an existing value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency varies from the predetermined value of the total electric voltage and/or total electric frequency by a predetermined difference (e.g., ±1%, ±2%±5%, ±6%±10%, and/or ±15%, etc.).
In some embodiments, electricity suppliers can provide discounts and/or other incentives to consumers in exchange for helping the electricity suppliers to balance the total electric voltage of electric grid(s) 104 (e.g., when consumers agree to contribute their respective electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or rechargeable energy storage system 105 to balancing electric grid(s) 104). In other embodiments, electricity suppliers can provide the discounts and/or other incentives to third-parties operating one or more electric vehicle charging stations (e.g., electric vehicle charging station 101). The third-parties can pass some or all of the discounts and/or incentives on to the consumers in these embodiments.
Electric vehicle 106 can comprise one of a car, a truck, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a scooter, a boat, a train, an aircraft, an airport ground support equipment, a material handling equipment (e.g., a fork-lift), etc. In the same or different embodiments, electric vehicle 106 can comprise one of a full electric vehicle or any other grid-connected vehicle. Electric vehicle 106 can be configured for low speeds and/or high speeds. Although system 100 can be employed where charging any electric vehicle 106, because the electric load balancing capabilities of system 100 can depend largely on the number of electric vehicle charging stations of which system 100 is comprised, system 100 can be particularly effective when employed with fleet vehicle applications (e.g., commercial and/or industrial operations). For example, warehouses can provide an ideal environment in which to employ system 100 while charging various work vehicles (e.g., forklifts, material handling equipment, electric ground support equipment, etc.).
After instructing and/or controlling charge module 102 to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, command module 103 is configured to instruct and/or control charge module 102 to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from electric grid(s) 104 and being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 in order to provide that rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 receives a charge quantity of electricity, or in some embodiments, that an average amount of electricity is provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 over a duration of time. The charge quantity of electricity can comprise a desired and/or predetermined quantity of electricity (e.g., a specified quantity of kilowatt-hours, a specified percentage of the total kilowatt-hour capacity of rechargeable energy storage system 105, etc.) to be provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 by electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charge module 102. The average amount of electricity can be the transfer quantity of electricity (e.g., 3 kilowatts) before charge module 102 adjusts the transfer quantity of electricity (e.g., increases the 3 kilowatt charge to 4 kilowatts).
How command module 103 instructs and/or controls charge module 102 to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity can depend on the mode of charging by which electric vehicle charging station 101 and/or charge module 102 is presently charging rechargeable energy storage system 105. For example, if a user desires rechargeable energy storage system 105 to be charged to a particular level such that the user provides a charge request to electric vehicle charging station 101 to charge rechargeable energy storage system 105 to the charge quantity of electricity, command module 103 will instruct and/or control charge module 102 such that the charge quantity of electricity is provided. On the other hand, if the user desires that electric vehicle charging station 101 simply provide a particular quantity (e.g., 3 kilowatts) of electricity (e.g., the transfer quantity of electricity) to charge rechargeable energy storage system 105 for a particular duration of time (e.g., an hour, two hours, etc.) and thus provides a charge request therefor, command module 103 will instruct and/or control charge module 102 pursuant to maintaining that the average charge provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 during that time approximately equals the particular quantity of electricity.
Accordingly, command module 103 and/or centralized computer system 108 can be configured to receive a charge request from a user of system 100. In those embodiments where centralized computer system 108 receives the charge request, but centralized computer system 108 does not comprise command module 103 (e.g., electric vehicle charging station 101 comprises command module 103), command module 103 can be configured to communicate with centralized computer system 108 to receive the charge request and/or to receive instructions on how to instruct and/or control charge module 102 based on the charge request.
Returning back to the subject of command module 103 instructing and/or controlling charge module 102 to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being drawn from electric grid(s) 104, although on the one hand, system 100 can be utilized for balancing the total electric voltage of electric grid(s) 104, it is not necessarily desirable to do so at the expense of inadequately and/or undesirably charging rechargeable energy storage system 105. Still, in many examples, it can be possible to: (a) adjust the transfer quantity of electricity to balance the total electric voltage during some intervals of time; and (b) readjust the transfer quantity of electricity during other intervals of time to ultimately achieve an adequate and/or desirable charge for rechargeable energy storage system 105. Accordingly, it can be appreciated that system 100 can operate to actively and/or continuously adjust/readjust the transfer quantity of electricity in real time, as applicable, during the course of electric vehicle charging station 101 operating to charge rechargeable energy storage system 105. Further, it can be appreciated that adjusting and readjusting the transfer quantity of electricity need not necessarily occur in succession. For example, charge module 102 may adjust the transfer quantity of electricity one or more times in a row for electric load balancing purposes and then successively readjust the transfer quantity of electricity one or more times in a row for charging purposes, or vice versa.
In many embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 can comprise electric vehicle supply equipment. Electric vehicle supply equipment can comprise a device for providing electricity to rechargeable energy storage system 105 (e.g., electrically charging rechargeable energy storage system 105 via charge module 102) of electric vehicle 106 and/or receiving electricity from rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106. In other embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 can comprise an industrial electric charger (e.g., an on-board AC electric charger, a off-board DC electric charger). In still other embodiments, electric vehicle charging station 101 can be configured to transfer electricity to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of the at least one electric vehicle via electrical induction. Electric vehicle charging station 101 can comprise either of a stand-alone unit or a wall-mounted unit.
The electric vehicle supply equipment can comprise any suitable alternating current and/or direct current electric vehicle supply equipment. For example, multiple electricity transfer systems 101 can comprise electric vehicle supply equipment configured according to any one of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International electric vehicle supply equipment standards (e.g., Level 1, Level 2, and/or Level 3) and/or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards (e.g., Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, and/or Mode 4). In some embodiments, the Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment and/or the Level 3 electric vehicle supply equipment can also be referred to as a fast charger. In many embodiments, the electric vehicle supply equipment can make available electricity comprising a maximum electric current of 30 amperes (A) or 48 A. When the maximum electric current of the electric vehicle supply equipment comprises 30 A, the electric vehicle supply equipment can be configured to make available electricity comprising an electric current of one or more of 12 A, 16 A, or 24 A. When the maximum electric current of the electric vehicle supply equipment comprises 48 A, the electric vehicle supply equipment can be configured to make available electricity comprising an electric current of one or more of 12 A, 16 A, 24 A, or 30 A.
In some examples, Level 1 AC electric vehicle supply equipment can make available electricity comprising an electric voltage of approximately 120 volts (V) and an electric current: (a) greater than or equal to approximately 0 amperes (A) and less than or equal to approximately 12 A AC, when employing a 15 A breaker, or (b) greater than or equal to approximately 0 A and less than or equal to approximately 16 A AC, when employing a 20 A breaker. Accordingly, Level 1 electric vehicle supply equipment can comprise a standard grounded domestic electrical outlet. Meanwhile, Level 2 AC electric vehicle supply equipment can make available electricity comprising an electric voltage greater than or equal to approximately 208 and less than or equal to approximately 240 V and an electric current greater than or equal to approximately 0 A and less than or equal to approximately 80 A AC. Furthermore, Level 3 electric vehicle supply equipment can make available electricity comprising an electric voltage greater than or equal to approximately 208 and an electric current greater than or equal to approximately 80 A AC (e.g., 240 AC (single phase), 208 V AC (triple phase), 480 V AC (triple phase). In some embodiments, the electric voltages for Level 1 electric vehicle supply equipment, Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment, and/or Level 3 electric vehicle supply equipment can be within plus or minus (±) ten percent (%) tolerances of the electric voltages provided above.
In other examples, Level 1 DC electric vehicle supply equipment can provide electric power greater than or equal to approximately 0 kiloWatts (kW) and less than or equal to approximately 19 kW. Meanwhile, Level 2 DC electric vehicle supply equipment can provide electric power greater than or equal to approximately 19 kW and less than or equal to approximately 90 kW. Furthermore, Level 3 electric vehicle supply equipment can provide electric power greater than or equal to approximately 90 kW. In some embodiments, the term fast charger can refer to an electric vehicle supply equipment providing electricity comprising an electric voltage between approximately 300 V-500 V and an electric current between approximately 100 A-400 A DC.
The industrial electric charger (e.g., the on-board AC electric charger, the off-board DC electric charger) can provide electric power greater than or equal to approximately 3 kW and less than or equal to approximately 33 kW. The off-board DC electric charger can provide electricity comprising an electric voltage greater than or equal to approximately 18 V DC and less than or equal to approximately 120 V DC.
Rechargeable energy storage system 105 can be configured to provide electricity to electric vehicle 106 to provide motive (e.g., traction) electrical power to electric vehicle 106 and/or to provide electricity to any electrically operated components of electric vehicle 106. In specific examples, rechargeable energy storage system 105 can comprise (a) one or more batteries and/or one or more fuel cells, (b) one or more capacitive energy storage systems (e.g., super capacitors such as electric double-layer capacitors), and/or (c) one or more inertial energy storage systems (e.g., one or more flywheels). In many embodiments, the one or more batteries can comprise one or more rechargeable and/or non-rechargeable batteries. For example, the one or more batteries can comprise one or more lead-acid batteries, valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries such as gel batteries and/or absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, zebra (e.g., molten chloroaluminate (NaAlCl4)) batteries, and/or lithium (e.g., lithium-ion (Li-ion)) batteries. In some embodiments, where recharge energy storage system 105 comprises multiple batteries, the batteries can all comprise the same type of battery or can comprise multiple types of batteries. Meanwhile, in various embodiments, the fuel cell(s) can comprise at least one hydrogen fuel cell.
Charging station computer 112 can be suitable and/or configured for implementing (a) command module 103 (e.g., when electric vehicle charging station 101 comprises command module 103) and/or (b) one or more of decision module 109, measurement module 110, calculation module 111, and/or communication module 107, as described in further detail below. In various examples, charging station computer 112 can be similar or identical to computer system 200 (
Centralized computer system 108 can be suitable and/or configured for implementing (a) command module 103 (e.g., when centralized computer system 108 comprises command module 103) and/or (b) one or more of decision module 109, measurement module 110, calculation module 111, and/or communication module 107, as described in further detail below. Similar to charging station computer system 112, centralized computer system 108 can be similar or identical to computer system 200 (
Communication module 107, decision module 109, measurement module 110, and/or calculation module 111 can be implemented to permit and/or support command module 103, charging station computer 112, and/or centralized computer system 108, as applicable, to balance the total electric voltage of electric grid(s) 104 and/or to charge rechargeable energy storage system 105, as described above. Accordingly, communication module 107, decision module 109, measurement module 110, and/or calculation module 111 can be configured to operate in real time.
Communication module 107 can be configured to receive and/or solicit one or more balance requests to compensate for the change in and/or the inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency and to communicate the request to command module 103. In some embodiments, communication module 107 can be configured to receive a measurement of the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency and to communicate the measurement to command module 103. Communication module 107 can comprise at least one computer network connection and/or at least one telephone network connection to permit communication module 107 to receive the balance request(s). In various embodiments, communication module 107 can receive and/or solicit the balance request(s) from one or more electricity suppliers (e.g., utility companies), as mentioned above. Meanwhile, in some embodiments, communication module 107 can receive the measurement of the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency from the electricity supplier(s) and/or from measurement module 110, as described below.
Measurement module 110 can be configured to measure the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency. In various embodiments, measurement module 110 can measure the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency in response to communication module 107 receiving the balance request. In other embodiments, measurement module 110 can measure the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency to notify communication module 107 to solicit the balance request, and in some examples, the electricity supplier(s) can confirm the solicited balance request. Measurement module 110 can provide any measured change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency to decision module 109 and/or calculation module 111 to permit decision module 109 and/or calculation module 111 to perform their respective functions.
Decision module 109 can be configured to determine whether charge module 102 is able to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity (a) being drawn from the at least one electric grid 104 and (b) being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106, in order to compensate for at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency while remaining able to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity (y) being drawn from the at least one electric grid 104 and (z) being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106, in order to provide that rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 receives the charge quantity of electricity and/or that the average amount of electricity is provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 over the duration of time, as applicable. Accordingly, decision module 109 can operate as a logic faculty of command module 103, determining whether charge module 102 has the present capacity to balance the total electric voltage of electric grid 104 and making the decision as to how to instruct and/or control charge module 102 for command module 103. Decision module 109 can operate in conjunction with calculation module 111, which can provide quantitative data to decision module 109 upon which decision module 109 can base its determinations.
More specifically, calculation module 111 can be configured to: (a) calculate a first amount of electricity by which to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity (i) being drawn from the at least one electric grid 104 and (ii) being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106, in order to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency and/or (b) after command module 103 instructs charge module 102 (or simultaneously with calculating the first amount of electricity) to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, calculate a second amount of electricity by which to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity (i) being drawn from the at least one electric grid 104 and (ii) being provided to rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106, in order to provide that rechargeable energy storage system 105 of electric vehicle 106 receives the charge quantity of electricity.
As introduced briefly above, centralized computer system 108 can be configured to coordinate one or more electric vehicle charging stations comprising electric vehicle charging station 101 to balance the total electric voltage of electric grid 104 while charging multiple rechargeable energy storage systems comprising rechargeable energy storage system 105. Accordingly, in some examples, centralized computer system 108 can comprise one command module 103 in communication with one charge module at each of the multiple electric vehicle charging stations. In other examples, each of the multiple electric vehicle charging stations can comprise its own respective command module 103 and centralized computer system 108 can communicate and/or control each command module 103. In any of these examples, the electric vehicle charging stations can communicate with each other and the centralized computer system, or can communicate with the centralized computer system but not with each other.
In still other examples, system 100 may not comprise centralized computer system 108, or system 100 can comprise centralized computer system 108, but merely for purposes of administrating communication between centralized computer system 108 and each command module 103 and/or intercommunication between each command module 103. In the same or different examples, each command module 103 can independently control its respective electric vehicle charging station (e.g., electric vehicle charging station 101) and/or can communicate and coordinate among each other to control the multiple electric vehicle charging stations aggregately.
In various embodiments, command module 103 and/or centralized computer system 108 can be configured to receive one or more balance requests to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the change in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency, such as from electricity suppliers. In these embodiments, command module 103 and/or centralized computer system 108 can comprise communication module 107, as described below, to receive the one or more balance requests. Alternatively and/or concurrently, command module 103 and/or centralized computer system 108 can determine independently (e.g., without requiring active involvement by electricity suppliers) whether to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency. In these embodiments, command module 103 and/or centralized computer system 108 can comprise measurement module 110 to measure changes in the total electric voltage and/or the total electric frequency, as described below.
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As used herein, “processor” and/or “processing module” means any type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions.
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In some embodiments, network adapter 320 can comprise and/or be implemented as a WNIC (wireless network interface controller) card (not shown) plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in computer system 200 (
Although many other components of computer system 200 (
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Although computer system 200 is illustrated as a desktop computer in
Meanwhile, in some embodiments, centralized computer system 108 (
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In some embodiments, performing any of procedures 401-406 can be performed by providing the electric vehicle charging station.
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In many embodiments, any of procedures 505-507 can be performed and/or can occur at the electric vehicle charging station or the centralized computer system. In some embodiments, one or more of procedures 505-507 can be performed and/or can occur at the electric vehicle charging station, and one or more of procedures 505-507 can be performed and/or can occur at the centralized computer system.
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At least part of method 500 can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more memory storage modules. In some embodiments, the centralized computer system and/or a charging station computer can comprise the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). The charging station computer can be similar or identical to charging station computer 112 (
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At least part of method 800 can be implemented via execution of computer instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules and configured to be stored at one or more memory storage modules. In some embodiments, the centralized computer system and/or a charging station computer can comprise the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). The charging station computer can be similar or identical to charging station computer 112 (
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that procedures 401-407 of
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly stated in such claim.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/029995 filed on Mar. 21, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/489,184, filed May 23, 2011. Further, this application is a continuation-in-part of: (1) PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/034667, filed Apr. 29, 2011; (2) PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037587, filed May 23, 2011; (3) PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037588, filed May 23, 2011; and (4) PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037590, filed May 23, 2011. PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/034667, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037587, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037588, and PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037590 each claim the benefit of: (1) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,316, filed Jul. 23, 2010; (2) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,321, filed Jul. 23, 2010; (3) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,337, filed Jul. 23, 2010; and (4) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,317, filed Jul. 23, 2010. Further, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037587, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037588, and PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037590 each are a continuation-in-part of PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/034667. PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/029995, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/489,184, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/034667, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037587, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037588, PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/037590, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,316, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,321, U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,337, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/367,317 are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This invention was made with U.S. Government support under Contract No. DE-EE00002194 awarded by the Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61489184 | May 2011 | US | |
| 61367316 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367321 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367337 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367317 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367316 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367321 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367337 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367317 | Jul 2010 | US | |
| 61367316 | Jul 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US12/29995 | Mar 2012 | US |
| Child | 13442666 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US11/34667 | Apr 2011 | US |
| Child | PCT/US12/29995 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US11/37587 | May 2011 | US |
| Child | PCT/US11/34667 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US11/37588 | May 2011 | US |
| Child | PCT/US11/37587 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US11/37590 | May 2011 | US |
| Child | PCT/US11/37588 | US |
