Abstract: A transportation system for operating an automated-taxi includes a power-connection and a controller-circuit. The power-connection is used to establish an electrical-connection between an automated-taxi and a charged-battery that was brought to the automated-taxi by a client of the automated-taxi. The charged-battery provides electrical-energy to propel the automated-taxi while connected. The controller-circuit is in communication with the power-connection. The controller-circuit is configured to assess a fee for transporting the client to a destination by the automated-taxi. The fee is determined in accordance with an energy-value drawn from the charged-battery while the client is being transported.

Abstract: A method for peak load shaving uses an energy storage device. A controller predicts the threshold above which the energy consumed by a load is equal to the capacity of the storage device. Load forecasting methods include artificial neural networks and support vector machines to compute a real-time threshold estimate that is used to decide when to dispatch power from the energy storage device. The threshold estimates are adapted iteratively, using the most recent observed load and previous threshold estimates. The adaptive algorithm reduces the peak demand charge assessed to the customer compared to existing static approaches that compute dispatch policies in advance.

Abstract: A Dispatch Planner (DP) is a component in an Energy System Controller that controls the operation of energy resources interconnected into one energy system to provide optimal energy management for a customer. In one embodiment, the energy storage system includes an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines; and stored energy resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: A planning tool and method for energy asset sizing and optimal dispatch is provided for managing the inter-temporal optimization problem caused by adding energy assets to an energy system. The tool and method are configured to optimally size and to operate energy assets including energy storage assets. Value stream models, asset cost models, constraint and operation strategies are applied in the tool and the optimization process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to optimize the performance of energy resources interconnected in an energy system to provide an economic benefit to a customer. A dispatch controller and method of operation therefor provides for delivery of power from a number of energy resources to ensure acceptable operation of all components of the energy system while compensating for short-term fluctuations of loads or power generation from renewable resources. Optimized energy systems include an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves. The energy controller operates in one or more different modes, each of which is configured to operate an energy system according to different operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the distribution of energy from a plurality of energy resources to a load. The system includes an energy system controller to control the distribution of energy to an electric load provided by a plurality of energy resources. The energy resources include dispatchable sources of energy such as diesel generators and combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy including photo-voltaic cells, wind turbines, and geothermal sources; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: A Dispatch Planner (DP) is a component in an Energy System Controller that controls the operation of energy resources interconnected into one energy system to provide optimal energy management for a customer. In one embodiment, the energy storage system includes an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines; and stored energy resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the distribution of energy from a plurality of energy resources to a load. The system includes an energy system controller to control the distribution of energy to an electric load provided by a plurality of energy resources. The energy resources include dispatchable sources of energy such as diesel generators and combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy including photo-voltaic cells, wind turbines, and geothermal sources; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a road grade module and a predictive control module. The road grade module detects a grade of a road that is ahead of the vehicle. The predictive control module detects that a first cylinder of an engine of the vehicle is deactivated while a second cylinder of the engine is activated. The predictive control module activates the first cylinder based on the grade.

Abstract: A method and powertrain apparatus that predicts a route of travel for a vehicle and predicts powertrain loads and speeds for the predicted route of travel. The predicted powertrain loads and speeds are then used to optimize at least one powertrain operation for the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle includes estimating expected states and probable ranges for influence factors associated with stochastic parameters over a time horizon. A preferred control state and a candidate control state for an objective function are determined. The objective function is controlled using the preferred control state for the objective function over the time horizon.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system and a traffic sensing system. Power flow in the vehicle is managed by determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining traffic level information based on the present location and trajectory. A speed profile for the vehicle is predicted based upon the traffic level information of the vehicle and the powertrain is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon on the predicted speed profile.

Abstract: A method for improving energy efficient operation of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle operating characteristics, modeling operation of the vehicle by utilizing the vehicle operating characteristics to estimate energy consumption rates of the vehicle across an allowable vehicle operating range, and generating a control output to the vehicle on the basis of the energy consumption rates.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system having a non-combustion tractive power generating device and a positioning system. A method of managing power flow in the vehicle includes determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining a probability of vehicle braking at a predetermined location within the trajectory of the vehicle. The non-combustion tractive power generating device is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon the probability of vehicle braking at the predetermined location.

Abstract: An engine control system of a vehicle includes a road grade module and a predictive control module. The road grade module detects a grade of a road that is ahead of the vehicle. The predictive control module detects that a first cylinder of an engine of the vehicle is deactivated while a second cylinder of the engine is activated. The predictive control module activates the first cylinder based on the grade.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system and a traffic sensing system. Power flow in the vehicle is managed by determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining traffic level information based on the present location and trajectory. A speed profile for the vehicle is predicted based upon the traffic level information of the vehicle and the powertrain is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon on the predicted speed profile.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain system having a non-combustion tractive power generating device and a positioning system. A method of managing power flow in the vehicle includes determining a present location and a trajectory of the vehicle, and determining a probability of vehicle braking at a predetermined location within the trajectory of the vehicle. The non-combustion tractive power generating device is operated to manage power flow in the vehicle based upon the probability of vehicle braking at the predetermined location.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle includes estimating expected states and probable ranges for influence factors associated with stochastic parameters over a time horizon. A preferred control state and a candidate control state for an objective function are determined. The objective function is controlled using the preferred control state for the objective function over the time horizon.

Abstract: A method for improving energy efficient operation of a vehicle includes monitoring vehicle operating characteristics, modeling operation of the vehicle by utilizing the vehicle operating characteristics to estimate energy consumption rates of the vehicle across an allowable vehicle operating range, and generating a control output to the vehicle on the basis of the energy consumption rates.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling the positioning of a movable member of a valve device by an electric actuator. A model is used to generate estimates for the position and velocity of the movable valve member that result from an actuator control signal being applied to drive the electric actuator. The actuator control signal comprises a feedback control signal combined with a feedforward control signal. The feedback control signal is generated based upon a difference between the estimated and actual positions of the movable valve member, while the feedforward control signal is generated based upon the desired position, the estimated position, and the estimated velocity. The feedforward signal is adjusted to cause the estimated velocity to approximately follow a defined maximum deceleration velocity trajectory as the estimated position of the movable valve member moves to the desired position.