Network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles
A server of a network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles receives a request for charge transfer for an electric vehicle at a network-controlled charge transfer device, determines whether to enable charge transfer, and responsive to determining to enable charge transfer, transmits a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer.
1. A method in a server of a network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles, the method comprising:
storing availability information of a plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices;
providing availability information of the plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices to an electric vehicle operator;
receiving a request for charge transfer of an electric vehicle at one of the plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices that is indicated as being available through the stored availability information, wherein the request for charge transfer originates from a mobile communication device of the electric vehicle operator;
determining whether to enable charge transfer; and
responsive to determining to enable charge transfer, transmitting a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether to enable charge transfer includes validating a payment source for the charge transfer.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a load reduction requirement; and
transmitting a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to limit charge transfer.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a message that indicates a period of high electricity demand;
determining that the electric vehicle operator does not want to charge the electric vehicle during periods of high electricity demand; and
transmitting a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to stop charge transfer.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a message that indicates a period of high electricity demand;
determining that the electric vehicle operator is willing to sell energy stored in the electric vehicle to a local power grid coupled with the network-controlled charge transfer device; and
communicating to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer from the electric vehicle to the local power grid.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether to enable charge transfer includes performing the following:
accessing a profile associated with the electric vehicle operator, wherein the profile indicates whether that electric vehicle operator wants to charge their electric vehicle only during periods of lower power rates; and
responsive to determining a period of lower power rates exist, determining to enable charge transfer.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting information to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates whether the electric vehicle operator wants to charge their electric vehicle only during periods of lower power rates to enable the network-controlled charge transfer device to manage charge transfer based on that information.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether to enable charge transfer includes performing the following:
accessing a profile associated with the electric vehicle operator; and
validating a payment source for the electric vehicle operator based on the profile.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
responsive to completion of charge transfer, requesting payment from the payment source.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile communication device of the electric vehicle operator is a mobile phone.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein responsive to determining to enable charge transfer, further causing the availability information of that network-controlled charge transfer device to reflect that network-controlled charge transfer device as being unavailable.
12. A server in a network-controlled charging system for electric vehicles, comprising:
a computer configured to perform the following:
store availability information of a plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices;
provide availability information of the plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices to an electric vehicle operator;
receive a request for charge transfer of an electric vehicle at one of the plurality of network-controlled charge transfer devices that is indicated as being available through the stored availability information, wherein the request for charge transfer originates from a mobile communication device of the electric vehicle operator,
determine whether to enable charge transfer, and
responsive to a determination to enable charge transfer, transmit a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer.
13. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to determine whether to enable charge transfer through a validation of a payment source for the charge transfer.
14. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is further configured to perform the following:
receive an indication of a load reduction requirement; and
transmit a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to limit charge transfer.
15. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is further configured to perform the following:
receive a message that indicates a period of high electricity demand;
determine that the electric vehicle operator does not want to charge the electric vehicle during periods of high electricity demand; and
transmit a communication to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates to the network-controlled charge transfer device to disable charge transfer.
16. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is further configured to perform the following:
receive a message that indicates a period of high electricity demand;
determine that the electric vehicle operator is willing to sell energy stored in the electric vehicle to a local power grid coupled with the network-controlled charge transfer device; and
communicate to the network-controlled charge transfer device to enable charge transfer from the electric vehicle to the local power grid.
17. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to determine whether to enable charge transfer includes the computer to perform the following:
access a profile associated with the electric vehicle operator, wherein the profile indicates whether that electric vehicle operator wants to charge their electric vehicle only during periods of lower power rates; and
responsive to a determination that a period of lower power rates exists, determine to enable charge transfer.
18. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is further configured to transmit information to the network-controlled charge transfer device that indicates whether the electric vehicle operator wants to charge their electric vehicle only during periods of lower power rates to enable the network-controlled charge transfer device to manage charge transfer based on that information.
19. The server of claim 12 , wherein the computer is configured to determine whether to enable charge transfer includes the computer to perform the following:
access a profile associated with the electric vehicle operator; and
validate a payment source for the electric vehicle operator based on the profile.
20. The server of claim 19 , wherein the computer is further configured to perform the following:
responsive to completion of charge transfer, request payment from the payment source.
21. The server of claim 12 , wherein the mobile communication device of the electric vehicle operator is a mobile phone.
22. The server of claim 12 , wherein responsive to a determination to enable charge transfer, the computer is further configured to cause the availability information of that network-controlled charge transfer device to reflect that network-controlled charge transfer device as being unavailable.