Abstract: An electric vehicle charging system is described. The electric vehicle charging system includes a plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus coupled to, and configured to receive electric power from, a distribution transformer. The electric vehicle charging system also includes a central processing device configured to control operation of the plurality of electric vehicle charging apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for adaptive communications with utility meters based on atmospheric conditions. The systems and methods may include obtaining weather information associated with a location of a utility meter; determining, based upon the weather information, whether the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance; and modifying an acceptable communications error rate associated with the utility meter or the communications interface of the utility meter from a first value to a second value upon determining that the utility meter location is associated with weather that affects communications performance. One or more of the foregoing operations may be performed by a utility meter or a utility server computer associated with the utility meter.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying, invalid nodes within a mesh network are provided. A routing table may he maintained by a utility meter. The routing table may include information associated with one or more devices in communication with the utility meter via a mesh network. A change in the routing table may be identified by the utility meter, and an alert message associated with the identified change may be generated by the utility meter. The generated alert may then be output by the utility meter for communication to a central controller configured to process the alert message to identify an invalid node within the mesh network.

Abstract: Electrical vehicle profiles for power grid operation. Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for collecting and storing electrical vehicle usage and charging information, which may enable the generation of usage and charging profiles. Additionally, these usage and charging profiles may be usable to operate electricity grids in areas where electrical vehicles are prevalent. Grid maintenance, as well as power allocation, may be controlled based at least in part on the usage and charging profiles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein use micropayments to make the payment for electrical consumption used to charge an EV. In one aspect, a mobile device such as a cellular telephone (“cell phone”) is used to make the payments. In one aspect, a method of payment for charges associated with charging an electric vehicle is described. This embodiment of a method comprises receiving electrical consumption information related to charging an electric vehicle at a charging station. The electrical consumption information is associated with a mobile device number. The electrical consumption information is authenticated. The cost for the authenticated electrical consumption information is included on an invoice for mobile device usage associated with the mobile device number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring compliance with a request not to run a type of load (e.g., a high-power-consuming appliance) during a demand response event are provided. One such system may include storage containing a load profile representative of a pattern of power consumption by a type of load and data processing circuitry. The data processing circuitry may compare a power usage profile representing power consumption by a consumer at least over a period of time to the load profile to determine whether the consumer is running the type of load over the period of time.