Abstract: Charging service vehicles and methods using modular batteries are disclosed. The service vehicles are vehicles having electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, and removably mounted battery modules or battery module connection points. The battery modules are connected to the EV charging equipment as a source of electrical energy. Some embodiments disclose integrating the EV charging equipment with the vehicle, recharging modules through a distribution grid connection, the manner of discharging the batteries, modes of connecting and disconnecting the modules, the size and weight of the modules, quick-disconnectability of modules, control and monitoring of the modules and charging equipment, and/or ways of connecting modules to the vehicle.

Abstract: Charging service vehicle networks are among the embodiments disclosed herein, including battery module-powered EV charging roadside service vehicles. Battery modules are removably mounted to the service vehicles and manually exchanged within a system of battery module storage locations. Some embodiments provide resupply vehicles for delivering battery modules between storage locations and/or service vehicles, and may be used to exchange battery modules. Controllers are used to reserve battery modules at the storage locations to ensure availability for high priority activities. Some storage locations have charging apparatus to recharge battery modules stored there, and some storage locations are repositionable mobile units.

Abstract: Charging service vehicles and methods with output points and cables are disclosed. The service vehicles are vehicles having electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment and output points affixed. The output points are configured as power outputs of the charging equipment to which connectors may be attached. Output points are located on multiple sides of the vehicle and can receive charging cables to connect the charging equipment to an EV. The charging cables, and potentially extension cables, may be limited in size and weight to allow a user to reach the charging port of an EV without mechanical assistance. In some cases the vehicle may be connected to multiple EVs at once to provide charging services from multiple output points. These embodiments permit a service vehicle operator to quickly and safely reach EVs in remote roadside environments that would otherwise be inaccessible to vehicles with limited ports and fixed charging connection devices.

Abstract: Charging stations, systems for charging and identifying electric vehicles, and methods for detecting and providing charging information of a vehicle are provided. The charging stations include vehicle detectors, charging connectors, and system controllers to estimate the state of charge of a vehicle based on current measurements from the charging connectors and then to output charge status signals if the state of charge is at or above a predetermined energy level and the vehicle is detected as being properly positioned by the vehicle detectors. These results may be output to indicators, computers, and network connections. Also disclosed are systems where the vehicle has a vehicle information device readable by the vehicle detector to obtain vehicle data that is transmitted to the system controller and other components of the system. Methods of monitoring current, estimating state of charge, and providing a charge status signal if certain conditions are also present.

Abstract: A circuit for rendering an energy storage device parallelable comprised of an energy storage device connected to a power adapter that converts the potential of the energy storage device into a potential that follows a predetermined function of the state of charge of the energy storage device. When multiple assemblies are paralleled, they may be charged and discharged as a whole with individual storage devices maintaining equal states of charge. The energy storage devices can be batteries with different cell counts, configurations, and energy discharge profiles. In some cases, the power adapters are comprised of DC to DC converters and system controllers that are used to translate each battery's energy discharge profile into a user-determined energy discharge profile that is a predictable function of the battery's state of charge and independent of temperature or other external conditions.

Abstract: Systems of networking power management systems are disclosed, wherein the systems receive control parameters from a control terminal and bring about demand response, curtailment, and other load management actions. One control terminal may be used to control many zones in different ways, and the load management actions may be automated to improve efficiency and predictability of the results of demand response actions. Some of the systems may be mobile and connectable to different sites in the network to respond to changing needs in the utility distribution grid. Large demand response requirements may be distributed among multiple sites or systems in order to encourage and enable participation in demand response programs by customers that would not traditionally be able to do so because of not being able to produce sufficient demand response results individually.

Abstract: Systems that allow energy allocation for energy storage cooperation are disclosed, with specific methods outlined concerning allocating energy stored by an energy storage device between a utility provider, a customer, and/or a third party. The methods may include allocating a portion of stored energy for a utility provider's benefit which may be gained as a result of a part of the allocated energy being dispatched into a utility network and allocating another portion of energy stored in the energy storage device for the benefit of the customer. Additional embodiments disclose the dispatching of the energy stored, signals used to bring about a dispatch, the nature of the relationship between the utility provider, the customer, and the energy stored, methods for making energy available to a utility provider without a prearranged reservation of the energy, penalties for misallocating energy, apparatus for allocating energy and causing dispatch, and more.

Abstract: Modular consumption management systems provide benefits of adaptability, customization, and progressive investment to electrical utility customers, particularly those with loads and electrical systems capable of curtailment and mitigation. Providing modules based on measurements made and consumption patterns detected in load profiles of individual loads and the site as a whole is described. Control and mitigation capabilities and methods are described in conjunction with identifying correlative modules that will best serve the needs of the site being monitored by a measurement module. Combined measurement and control modules or control and mitigation modules are also described, as well as interchangeable modules that can be put in place when excess consumption patterns at the site change over time.