IP Library Granted Patent US 12,614,909
Granted Patent B2
US 12,614,909 · App. 18/188,631 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Preemptive charging for power outage mitigation

Inventors: Christopher R. Neuman (Denver, CO); Ciro A. Spigno, Jr. (Leonard, MI); James C. Gibbs (Brighton, MI)
Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
H02J3/322B60L53/63B60L55/00H02J3/003H02J7/82B60L2240/72
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,614,909
App. No.
18/188,631
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Preemptively charging rechargeable energy storage systems (RESSs) in advance of an electrical grid outage. The preemptive charging may include generating a weather map of a geographical area anticipated to be impacted with a storm or a natural event of a severity predicted to induce a power outage, which may include generating a distribution map of an electrical power distribution network within the geographical area, generating an outage map by overlaying the weather map relative to the distribution map to identify one or more intersections where the power outage is predicted, and scheduling or otherwise implementing preemptively charging of one or more the RESSs downstream of the intersections in advance of the power outage.

Claims (51)

1 . A system for preemptively charging a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to mitigate power outage, comprising:

a weather module configured for generating a weather map of a geographical area anticipated to be impacted with a storm of a severity predicted to possibly induce a power outage;

a power grid module configured for generating a distribution map of an electrical power distribution network within the geographical area, the distribution map representing one or more distribution lines deployed within the geographical area to distribute electrical power to one or more dwellings having a RESS;

an outage module configured for generating an outage map by overlaying the weather map relative to the distribution map, the outage map representing one or more intersections between the weather map and the distribution map where the power outage is predicted; and

a charging module configured for preemptively charging one or more of the RESSs downstream of the intersections in advance of the power outage.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the charging module is configured for altering arbitrage settings for one or more of the RESSs to be preemptively charged, the arbitrage settings defining parameters associated with the RESS consuming or purchasing electrical power from the power distribution network.

3 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein:

the charging module is configured for altering the arbitrage settings such that the RESSs begin preemptively charging during a time period outside of a normal charging time period specified within the arbitrage settings associated therewith.

4 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein:

the charging module is configured for overwriting the arbitrage settings to enable the RESSs to be preemptively charged independently of a pecuniary cost of the electrical power.

5 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein:

the charge module is configured for altering the arbitrage settings by at least one of:

increasing an upper state of charge (SOC) limit relative to a normal upper SOC limit for one or more of the RESSs to be preemptively charged; and

lowering a lower SOC limit relative to a normal lower SOC limit for one or more of the RESSs to be preemptively charged.

6 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein:

following a conclusion of the power outage, the charging module is configured for discharging electrical power to the power distribution network from the RESSs charged above the normal upper SOC limit associated therewith.

7 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein:

the charge module is configured for altering the arbitrage settings by increasing a rate of charge (ROC) limit relative to a normal ROC limit for one or more of the RESSs to be preemptively charged.

8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein:

the outage module is configured to determine when the storm passes through the geographical area, and thereafter, to reset the arbitrage settings altered in anticipation of the power outage.

9 . The system according to claim 8 , wherein:

the outage module is configured to transmit notification messages to one or more individuals associated with the dwellings expected to experience the power outage, the notification messages including information for the preemptive charging to occur in advance of the power outage.

10 . The system according to claim 9 , wherein:

the notification messages request the individuals to transmit a responsive message to approve or deny the preemptive charging.

11 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein:

at least a portion of the RESSs are stationary storage modules, the stationary storage modules residing at a corresponding one of the dwellings and configured for distributing stored electrical power thereto in response to the power outage.

12 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein:

at least a portion of the RESSs are battery charging systems, the battery charging systems configured for charging a battery included onboard an electric vehicle for powering a traction motor.

13 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the weather map represents one or more meteorological factors associated with the storm, at least one of the meteorological factors representing wind, ice, lightning, and/or rain.

14 . A method for preemptively charging a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to mitigate power outage, comprising:

generating a weather map of a geographical area anticipated to be impacted with a storm or a natural event having a severity predicted to possibly induce a power outage;

generating a distribution map of an electrical power distribution network within the geographical area, the distribution map representing one or more distribution lines deployed within the geographical area to distribute electrical power to one or more dwellings having a RESS;

generating an outage map by overlaying the weather map relative to the distribution map, the outage map representing one or more intersections between the weather map and the distribution map where the power outage is predicted; and

scheduling preemptive charging of one or more of the RESSs downstream of the intersections in advance of the power outage.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:

overriding one or more charging restraints placed upon charging one or more of the RESSs to be preemptively charged.

16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein:

the overriding includes increasing an upper state of charge (SOC) limit previously set for restraining charging of one or more of the RESSs.

17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein:

the overriding includes increasing a rate of charge (ROC) limit previously set for restraining charging of one or more of the RESSs.

18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein:

the overriding includes changing a time of day limit previously set for restraining charging of one or more of the RESSs.

19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein:

the overriding includes removing a pecuniary limit previously set for restraining charging of one or more of the RESSs.

20 . A system for preemptively charging stationary storage modules to mitigate power outage, comprising:

a weather module configured for generating a weather map of a geographical area anticipated to be impacted with a storm having a severity predicted to possibly induce a power outage;

a power grid module configured for generating a distribution map of an electrical power grid within the geographical area, the distribution map representing one or more distribution lines deployed within the geographical area to distribute electrical power to one or more dwellings having the stationary storage modules;

an outage module configured for generating an outage map by overlaying the weather map relative to the distribution map, the outage map representing one or more intersections between the weather map and the distribution map where the power outage is predicted; and

a charging module configured for preemptively charging one or more of the stationary storage modules in advance of the power outage, wherein the preemptive charging includes altering arbitrage settings for one or more of the stationary storage modules to be preemptively charged, the arbitrage settings defining parameters associated with the stationary storage modules consuming electrical power from the electrical power grid.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADD 3RD INVENTOR PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 063074 FRAME: 0328. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 25, 2023
From: NEUMAN, CHRISTOPHER R.; SPIGNO, CIRO A., JR.; GIBBS, JAMES C.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 064414/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 23, 2023
From: NEUMAN, CHRISTOPHER R.; SPIGNO, CIRO A., JR.
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 063074/0328 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240322570A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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