IP Library Patent Application 13442666
Patent Application
App. No. 13/442,666

SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC GRID BALANCING AND METHOD OF USING AND PROVIDING THE SAME

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/442,666
Abstract

Some embodiments include systems for electric grid balancing and methods of using and providing the same. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims (134)

1 ) A method for operating an electric vehicle charging station, at least part of the method being 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 comprising:

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;

wherein:

the computer instructions comprises the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.

2 ) The method of claim 1 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to receive a charge request to provide the predetermined charge quantity of electricity to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle.

3 ) The method of claim 2 further comprising:

executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to determine the transfer quantity of electricity to be provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle with the electric vehicle charging station;

wherein:

executing the one or more fifth computer instructions occurs after executing the one or more fourth computer instructions.

4 ) The method of claim 3 wherein:

executing the one or more fifth computer instructions occurs prior to or approximately simultaneously with executing the one or more first computer instructions.

5 ) The method of claim 1 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to receive a balance request to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency.

6 ) The method of claim 1 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to measure the change in the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency.

7 ) The method of claim 1 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to receive a measurement of the change in the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency.

8 ) The method of claim 1 wherein:

executing the one or more second computer instructions comprises executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to increase 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.

9 ) The method of claim 8 wherein:

executing the one or more third computer instructions comprises:

after executing the one or more fourth computer instructions, executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to decrease the transfer quantity of electricity being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle.

10 ) The method of claim 1 wherein:

executing the one or more second computer instructions comprises executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to decrease 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.

11 ) The method of claim 10 wherein:

executing the one or more third computer instructions comprises:

after executing the one or more fourth computer instructions, executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to increase 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.

12 ) The method of claim 1 wherein:

executing the one or more third computer instructions comprises:

after executing the one or more second instructions, executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to readjust the transfer quantity of electricity being provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle to provide that the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle receives a predetermined charge quantity of electricity within a predetermined duration of time.

13 ) A method of balancing at least one electric grid, at least part of the method being 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 comprising:

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;

wherein:

the computer instructions comprises the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.

14 ) The method of claim 13 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to provide a balance request to at least one of: (1) a command module of the electric vehicle charging station, or (2) a centralized computer system configured to communicate with the electric vehicle charging station;

wherein:

the balance request is to compensate for the least one of the change in or the unsuitable amount of the demand for the total quantity of electricity.

15 ) The method of claim 13 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to measure the change in the demand for the total quantity of electricity.

16 ) The method of claim 13 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to provide a measurement to at least one of: (1) a command module of the electric vehicle charging station or (2) a centralized computer system configured to communicate with the electric vehicle charging station, the measurement being a measurement of the change in the demand for the total quantity of electricity.

17 ) The method of claim 13 wherein:

executing the one or more second computer instructions comprises executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to increase the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station.

18 ) The method of claim 17 wherein:

executing the one or more third computer instructions comprises:

after executing the one or more fourth computer instructions, executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to decrease the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station.

19 ) The method of claim 13 wherein:

executing the one or more second computer instructions comprises executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to decrease the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station.

20 ) The method of claim 19 wherein:

executing the one or more third computer instructions comprises:

after executing the one or more fourth computer instructions, executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to increase the transfer quantity of electricity being provided from the at least one electric grid to the electric vehicle charging station after executing the one or more second computer instructions.

21 ) The method of claim 13 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to calculate an original price for a primary quantity of electricity provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle; and

executing one or more fifth computer instructions configured to calculate a discounted price for the primary quantity of electricity provided to the rechargeable energy storage system of the electric vehicle;

wherein:

the primary quantity of electricity comprises the charge quantity of electricity; and

the discounted price is less than the original price.

22 ) A system comprising:

an electric vehicle charging station comprising:

a charge module 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 be electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station; and

a command module;

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;

the command module is 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; and

after instructing the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, the command module is 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.

23 ) The system of claim 22 further comprising:

a communication module configured to receive a request to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency and to communicate the request to the command module.

24 ) The system of claim 23 wherein:

the communication module is configured to receive a measurement of the change in the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency and to communicate the measurement to the command module.

25 ) The system of claim 23 wherein:

the electric vehicle charging station comprises the communication module.

26 ) The system of claim 23 further comprising:

a centralized computer system configured to communicate with the electric vehicle charging station;

wherein:

the centralized computer system comprises the communication module.

27 ) The system of claim 22 wherein:

the command module comprises a decision module configured to determine whether the charge module is able 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 the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency while remaining able 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 the charge quantity of electricity.

28 ) The system of claim 22 further comprising:

a measurement module configured to measure the change in the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency.

29 ) The system of claim 28 wherein:

the command module comprises the measurement module.

30 ) The system of claim 22 further comprising:

a calculation module configured to at least one of: (a) calculate a first amount of electricity by which 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 the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency or (b) after the command module instructs the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, calculate a second amount of electricity by which 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 the charge quantity of electricity.

31 ) The system of claim 30 wherein:

the command module comprises the calculation module.

32 ) The system of claim 22 further comprising:

the electric vehicle;

wherein:

the rechargeable energy storage system is electrically coupled to the electric vehicle charging station.

33 ) A method of providing a system, the method comprising:

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;

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 comprise a grid electric voltage and a grid electric frequency;

the command module is 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; and

after instructing the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, the command module is 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.

34 ) The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing the electric vehicle charging station;

wherein:

providing the electric vehicle charging station comprises:

providing the charge module; and

providing the command module.

35 ) The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing a communication module configured to receive a request to compensate for the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency and to communicate the request to the command module.

36 ) The method of claim 35 wherein:

providing the electric vehicle charging station comprises providing the communication module.

37 ) The method of claim 35 further comprising:

providing a centralized computer system configured to communicate with the electric vehicle charging station;

wherein:

providing the centralized computer system comprises providing the communication module.

38 ) The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing a decision module configured to determine whether the charge module is able 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 the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency while remaining able 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 the charge quantity of electricity.

39 ) The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing a measurement module configured to measure the change in the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency.

40 ) The method of claim 39 wherein:

providing the command module comprises providing the measurement module.

41 ) The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing a calculation module configured to at least one of: (a) calculate a first amount of electricity by which 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 the at least one of the change in or the inadequate value of the at least one of the grid electric voltage or the grid electric frequency or (b) after the command module instructs the charge module to adjust the transfer quantity of electricity, calculate a second amount of electricity by which 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 the charge quantity of electricity.

42 ) The method of claim 41 wherein:

providing the command module comprises providing the calculation module.

43 ) A method for operating an electric vehicle charging station, at least part of the method being 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 comprising:

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 in order 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;

wherein:

the computer instructions comprises the one or more first, second, and third computer instructions.

44 ) The method of claim 43 further comprising:

executing one or more fourth computer instructions configured to determine the transfer quantity of electricity to be drawn from the at least one electric grid with the electric vehicle charging station upon executing the one or more first computer instructions based on at least one of the average amount of electricity or the duration of time.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2014
From: ECOTALITY, INC
To: BLINK ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 032917/0455 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2013
From: ELECTRIC TRANSPORATION ENGINEERING CORPORATION, AN ARIZONA CORPORATION, D/B/A ECOTALITY NORTH AMERICA
To: ECOTALITY, INC., A NEVADA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030662/0095 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Nov 7, 2012
From: ELECTRIC TRANSPORATION ENGINEERING CORP DBA ECOTALITY NORTH AMERICA
To: ENERGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
Reel/Frame 029284/0131 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2012
From: KARNER, DONALD B.; MORROW, KEVIN P.
To: ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING CORPORATION, D/B/A ECOTALITY NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 028322/0793 →