Abstract: An overhead mobile charger system for mounting between a pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces and exhibiting full circle traversing so as to reach and charge electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The system includes a single EV battery charger, a boom, and apparatus for rotatably mounting the boom over, and between, the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces. The single EV battery charger has a power cable terminating in an EV connector. The power cable of the single EV battery charger runs along, and depends from, the boom, and together with the boom being rotatably mounted via the apparatus so as to allow the boom to exhibit full circle traversing, the electric vehicles parked in the pair of adjacent and spaced-apart rows of side-by-side parking spaces are reached and charged by the EV connector of the single EV battery charger.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus relating to electric vehicle (EV) charger testing systems are disclosed and claimed herein. Exemplary systems comprise an EV charger connection interface having communication and power connections complying with one or more EV charging protocols, an electrical load module connected to power connections, and charging protocol compliance signal generators connected to the charger connection interface for simulation of a connection between an EV and an EV charger. Testing systems may be used to monitor, record, and profile the output of an EV charger and determine compliance of the output with one or more EV charging protocols. Additionally, methods related to testing and analyzing charge output of an EV charger are disclosed, including determining which of multiple charging protocols to use while testing the charger.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus relating to electric vehicle (EV) charger testing systems are disclosed and claimed herein. Exemplary systems comprise an EV charger connection interface having communication and power connections complying with one or more EV charging protocols, an electrical load module connected to power connections, and charging protocol compliance signal generators connected to the charger connection interface for simulation of a connection between an EV and an EV charger. Testing systems may be used to monitor, record, and profile the output of an EV charger and determine compliance of the output with one or more EV charging protocols. Additionally, methods related to testing and analyzing charge output of an EV charger are disclosed, including determining which of multiple charging protocols to use while testing the charger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are power management systems for controlling recorded electrical demand by isolating loads from a utility distribution grid connection. The loads are isolated when an energy storage system (ESS) is placed in series between the loads and the grid, with a charger that keeps the ESS from depleting and a power converter that provides energy to the loads from the ESS. A system controller may be enabled to manage the charging of the ESS by the charger relative to a consumption metric. In some embodiments, the loads are categorized, controlled, or curtailed by the controller and may be isolated from other loads. Some embodiments include bypass features or bimodal connections. Additional methods of control to prevent depletion of the ESS are also set forth. Systems herein can prevent or limit demand charges, protect the utility grid from backflow and other dangers, and raise the customer's effective utility service limit.

Abstract: Methods and systems using aggregated electrical system load profiles in determining additional load profiles, and determining consumption management system characteristics, features, and operating requirements at a site are disclosed, along with methods of generating and maintaining databases of load profile information and consumption management system requirements. By using some embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, it is faster and easier to design and implement effective consumption management systems, to determine problematic electrical systems at a site, and to diminish anomalous consumption patterns in an aggregate unprofiled electrical system load profile.

Abstract: Methods and systems using aggregated electrical system load profiles in determining additional load profiles, and determining consumption management system characteristics, features, and operating requirements at a site are disclosed, along with methods of generating and maintaining databases of load profile information and consumption management system requirements. By using some embodiments of the methods and systems described herein, it is faster and easier to design and implement effective consumption management systems, to determine problematic electrical systems at a site, and to diminish anomalous consumption patterns in an aggregate unprofiled electrical system load profile.

Abstract: The electrical consumption mitigation provided by energy storage systems can be unreliable when a consumption peak lasts long enough to deplete the energy stored and the remainder of the peak is unmitigated. By implementing a waiting period between detecting the peak and discharging the energy storage in which characteristics of the peak are observed, a peak mitigation system can lengthen the effective discharge duration of the energy storage system and prevent unmitigated plateaus from appearing. For example, when a consumption plateau is detected, the system may discharge at a slower rate than when a spike is detected in order to prolong mitigation activities before the conclusion of the plateau. Thus otherwise-incurred demand-related utility charges can be reduced without having to increase the capacity of the mitigation system. In some cases, these processes are performed with respect to the bounds of demand-averaged time periods used to calculate demand charges.

Abstract: Charging and discharging an energy storage device (ESD) generates heat and may prevent its temperature from dropping to unsafe levels. By monitoring and managing the charge and discharge of an ESD with respect to the periods of time in which demand charges are determined, the heating will have minimal adverse effect on demand charges. ESDs may also exchange energy in a controlled manner for heating purposes and reduce reliance on utility grid-based energy sources. ESD heating may also be made more efficient by offsetting the heating with load shedding during charging periods. Precharging the ESD while heating or preheating the ESD by charging and discharging can prevent new maximum demand levels from appearing and thereby limit increases in demand charges.

Abstract: Universal electrical power conversion methods and systems which may provide the combined capabilities of symmetrical and asymmetrical conversion, bidirectionality, and simplicity are provided. In some cases, the converter charges an inductor connected in parallel between a regulated port and an unregulated port using energy stored by a capacitor positioned in parallel between the inductor and one of the ports until the inductor has a level of current stored that corresponds to the change in voltage desired at the regulated port, then discharges stored energy into the other port until a current cutoff threshold level is reached in the inductor. Creating an LC tank circuit during conversion allows conversion processes to traverse sinusoidal discharge patterns. In some embodiments, the inductor is precharged with current to affect the discharge of the inductor. Multiple ports can be connected and disconnected from the same inductor with these methods and systems.

Abstract: A universal electrical power converter having the combined capabilities of symmetrical and asymmetrical converters, bidirectionality, and simplicity is provided with methods for controlling it in single-stage conversion. In some cases, the converter charges an inductor connected in parallel between a regulated port and an unregulated port using energy stored by a capacitor positioned in parallel between the inductor and one of the ports until the inductor has a level of current stored that corresponds to the change in voltage desired at the regulated port, then discharges stored energy into the other port until a current cutoff threshold level is reached in the inductor. In some embodiments a single stage power converter is provided having three or more ports that can be connected and disconnected from the same inductor. Converters disclosed herein can convert AC signals when there is cross switching on at least one side or branch of the converter.

Abstract: A system and method of use of a three-phase inverter driver is disclosed. In some exemplary embodiments three single-phase inverters are connected to the three-phase AC input of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) so that each of the single-phase inverters provide one of the three phases of the AC signal used by the EVSE. The single-phase inverters are rectified and either have variance in their output frequencies or have their phases staggered so that the maximum voltage provided to the EVSE remains at a consistently high level. In some cases, the three phases each cross polarity simultaneously, resulting in a drop in the maximum three-phase voltage, so low-capacity capacitors are used in conjunction with the inverters to bridge these gaps in voltage. Embodiments use readily available, inexpensive components that have regulatory safety-approval and therefore may allow implementation on a vehicle or with a load leveling energy storage system.

Abstract: A utility distribution control system and method for performing distribution control of energy within a utility service network including an energy distribution network in communication with a plurality of energy resources. The energy distribution network includes a plurality of energy storage and generation devices which receive energy from at least one of the energy resources of the plurality of resources and distribute energy, and a controller which controls the plurality of energy storage and generation devices, to distribute energy.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system of providing utility service network information for a utility service network. The method includes obtaining utility service network information from a plurality of external sources, integrally combining the utility service network information obtained from each of the plurality of external sources into and displaying the utility service network information in real-time in a global positioning map to a user via a graphical user interface, selecting, via the user, specific utility service network information of the utility service network information, to be displayed, and automatically reconfiguring the system or manually reconfiguring the utility service network via the user, as needed based on the specific utility service network information selected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing consumption of electricity of loads at a site which includes energy storage, a system controller, and load shedding ability. The system controller monitors energy consumption of the site and discharges energy into the site when consumption exceeds a maximum consumption threshold. If energy storage is depleted while consumption remains in excess of the threshold the controller may engage load shedding to prevent consumption from exceeding the maximum threshold. Additionally, the energy storage device may recharge during a peak consumption period due to load shedding reducing consumption below the maximum threshold, and the energy storage device may use this recovered energy to further mitigate the peak; in some embodiments, repetitively. Supplemental and additional load mitigation techniques may also be implemented to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the systems and methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing power management systems using a peak demand factor are described and disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes gathering load samples from a site, generating a plurality of peak demand factors based on the load samples, performing an analysis to determine feasible demand reduction based on the peak demand factors, such as by plotting the demand reduction against the peak demand factors and finding one or more points at which demand reduction is particularly advantageous, selecting a maximum percentage of peak reduction matched with a peak demand factor, and implementing a power management system corresponding to the selected peak demand factor. Embodiments disclosed may provide means for quickly determining a superior peak demand reduction strategy or configuration for a site, thereby reducing the time and labor costs of excessive experimentation presently used to implement demand management systems.

Abstract: A reduced size and complexity multi-mode electric vehicle charging station is provided which allows a user to select AC and DC powerform output and may provide those outputs to connectors for charging electric vehicles. A voltage source is provided to a DC converter that then outputs to a DC bus or electrical connection. The DC bus may be accessed by DC charging equipment or a DC-AC inverter that is connected to AC charging equipment, thereby providing DC and AC charging ability. In one aspect, the multi-mode electric vehicle charging station is used in a rescue vehicle for charging stranded EVs via multiple charging standards without requiring the rescue vehicle to carry independent charging systems for each charging standard. In another aspect, the charging station is used in a stationary charging station to reduce cost and complexity of using multiple independent charging systems.

Abstract: Some embodiments are systems which calculate the amount of electric power that a peak mitigation system provides in real time and translate that information into a real-time estimate of a peak utility usage charge that appears on the utility bill of the customer. These systems may facilitate a determination of the monetary value of demand charges saved by peak mitigation and load leveling and a notification to a customer of the savings realized. Some systems described herein provide a method of billing a customer based on the electricity usage savings accumulated through demand charge reduction procedures. One embodiment monitors the mitigation of peak loads as they occur, detects and measures incremental changes in demand charge-producing peaks and updates a projection when incremental demand charge changes occur. The demand charge projection may be presented to the customer, aggregated with demand charge projections of other sites, and displayed to increase awareness.

Abstract: Methods of generating heat maps of assets using clustering of assets are disclosed. Some methods include receiving a list of assets, assigning the assets to one or more heat range categories based on the status of the assets, assigning assets operating within a zone to a zone cluster, assigning the assets of the zone cluster to category clusters based on the heat range categories assigned to the assets. The positions of the clusters may be calculated for mapping, and may be displayed on a map. Some embodiments of these methods allow a user to quickly detect and locate non-standard assets on a map while standard assets are consolidated to clusters that are less prominent to the user. This leads to minimizing the time required to form responses to de-load hotspots in an electrical grid, minimizing the cost of assets by reducing the need for hardware redundancy, and minimized equipment outages.

Abstract: Methods for providing electrical charging services are disclosed, including receiving dispatch information for a service vehicle, receiving charging instructions including an amount of charge to provide to a stranded or depleted EV, providing the amount of charge, and providing a charging station location to the EV or an EV passenger or occupant. Additional methods describe how to determine a charging station location for the EV, reserving an EV charger for the EV, and making roadside payment transactions. Other methods disclosed include receiving information about an EV in need of charging services, selecting and assigning a service vehicle to assist the EV, and distributing relevant information to the EV such as an amount of energy to provide to the EV that would allow the EV to reach a charging station for a more complete charge. Resupply of the service vehicle and providing guidance to reach the EV may also be provided.

Abstract: Charging service vehicles with battery and generator sources are disclosed. The service vehicle is a vehicle having electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, removably mounted battery module(s) or a battery module connection point, and an alternator or generator transported by the vehicle. The alternator or generator is configured to provide power to the battery module or to the charging equipment. Battery modules used may be quick-disconnecting or have their discharge monitored and controlled by an onboard controller device, and in some cases are automotive SLI batteries. Some embodiments have connection points that can be configured as charging points to recharge battery modules on the vehicle or as discharging points to provide power to the EV charging equipment. These features are beneficial to extend the utility of batteries in a service vehicle, provide additional power for EV charging, and to efficiently utilize vehicle electronics and generation capability.