Patents by Inventor Ben KEARNS

Ben KEARNS has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230367348
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ben KEARNS, Jon BURLINSON, Drew STEVENS
  • Patent number: 11714441
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 11454999
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. Current solutions for these types of electric load locations entail multiple discrete energy storage systems, where if any piece of an energy storage system is damaged, the ability of the complete power control strategy at the entire electric load location is at risk of becoming inoperable. Some embodiments of the invention include hardware and methods for dynamically reconfiguring networks of distributed energy storage systems that are able to provide automatic site layout discovery using a formed auto-discovering network formed at an electric load location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: David Erhart, Craig Southeren, Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 11201491
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, James W. Detmers, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Publication number: 20200371540
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ben KEARNS, Jon BURLINSON, Drew STEVENS
  • Patent number: 10782721
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These multiphase distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, but may be in frequent contact with a cloud-based optimization engine that is configured to develop energy control solutions based on various data inputs and to communicate these energy control solutions to one or more of the distributed energy storage systems. Due to characteristics of the electric load location and/or the use of on-site power generation, imbalances in the power draw per phase can be created within the electric load location. Therefore, embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods that are used to control and/or limit the imbalance in power flowing through one phase versus other phases at the electric load location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: STEM, INC.
    Inventors: David Erhart, Craig Southeren, Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 10768652
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hedge mode plugin increases the ability of an energy storage system to reduce the demand charges associated with purchasing electricity from a utility. A utility measurement interval (UMI) is divided into a pre-discharge phase and a subsequent compensatory charge phase. During the pre-discharge phase, the hedge mode plugin causes an energy storage device to discharge. At the beginning of the compensatory charge phase, the hedge mode plugin computes time-indexed charge values based on the total amount of energy that the energy storage device discharged during the pre-discharge phase. The hedge mode plugin then causes the energy storage device to charge based on at least one of the charge values. By systematically pre-discharging and re-charging the energy device, the hedge mode plugin optimizes the demand reduction effectiveness of the energy storage system during each UMI while stabilizing the state-of-charge of the energy storage device across multiple UMIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Burlinson, Chris Benjamin, Ben Kearns, Garrison Venn
  • Patent number: 10756543
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Detmers, Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 10747252
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Stem, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 10693294
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. Some embodiments of the invention use networked multiphase distributed energy storage systems located at an electric load location or installed at interconnection points along the electric power distribution grid to provide a means for balancing the load created from an electric charging station, which are adapted to transfer power between one or more electric vehicles and the electric power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: STEM, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Henry Holbrook Hyde, III, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 10571947
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hedge mode plugin increases the ability of an energy storage system to reduce the demand charges associated with purchasing electricity from a utility. A utility measurement interval (UMI) is divided into a pre-discharge phase and a subsequent compensatory charge phase. During the pre-discharge phase, the hedge mode plugin causes an energy storage device to discharge. At the beginning of the compensatory charge phase, the hedge mode plugin computes time-indexed charge values based on the total amount of energy that the energy storage device discharged during the pre-discharge phase. The hedge mode plugin then causes the energy storage device to charge based on at least one of the charge values. By systematically pre-discharging and re-charging the energy device, the hedge mode plugin optimizes the demand reduction effectiveness of the energy storage system during each UMI while stabilizing the state-of-charge of the energy storage device across multiple UMIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: STEM, INC.
    Inventors: Jon Burlinson, Chris Benjamin, Ben Kearns, Garrison Venn
  • Patent number: 10389126
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: STEM, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, James W. Detmers, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Publication number: 20170331290
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hedge mode plugin increases the ability of an energy storage system to reduce the demand charges associated with purchasing electricity from a utility. A utility measurement interval (UMI) is divided into a pre-discharge phase and a subsequent compensatory charge phase. During the pre-discharge phase, the hedge mode plugin causes an energy storage device to discharge. At the beginning of the compensatory charge phase, the hedge mode plugin computes time-indexed charge values based on the total amount of energy that the energy storage device discharged during the pre-discharge phase. The hedge mode plugin then causes the energy storage device to charge based on at least one of the charge values. By systematically pre-discharging and re-charging the energy device, the hedge mode plugin optimizes the demand reduction effectiveness of the energy storage system during each UMI while stabilizing the state-of-charge of the energy storage device across multiple UMIs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jon BURLINSON, Chris BENJAMIN, Ben KEARNS, Garrison VENN
  • Publication number: 20170329361
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hedge mode plugin increases the ability of an energy storage system to reduce the demand charges associated with purchasing electricity from a utility. A utility measurement interval (UMI) is divided into a pre-discharge phase and a subsequent compensatory charge phase. During the pre-discharge phase, the hedge mode plugin causes an energy storage device to discharge. At the beginning of the compensatory charge phase, the hedge mode plugin computes time-indexed charge values based on the total amount of energy that the energy storage device discharged during the pre-discharge phase. The hedge mode plugin then causes the energy storage device to charge based on at least one of the charge values. By systematically pre-discharging and re-charging the energy device, the hedge mode plugin optimizes the demand reduction effectiveness of the energy storage system during each UMI while stabilizing the state-of-charge of the energy storage device across multiple UMIs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Jon BURLINSON, Chris BENJAMIN, Ben KEARNS, Garrison VENN
  • Publication number: 20170229896
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Ben KEARNS, James W. DETMERS, Jon BURLINSON, Drew STEVENS
  • Patent number: 9634508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include control methods employed in multiphase distributed energy storage systems that are located behind utility meters typically located at, but not limited to, medium and large commercial and industrial locations. These distributed energy storage systems can operate semi-autonomously, and can be configured to develop energy control solutions for an electric load location based on various data inputs and communicate these energy control solutions to the distributed energy storage systems. In some embodiments, one or more distributed energy storage systems may be used to absorb and/or deliver power to the electric grid in an effort to provide assistance to or correct for power transmission and distribution problems found on the electric grid outside of an electric load location. In some cases, two or more distributed energy storage systems are used to form a controlled and coordinated response to the problems seen on the electric grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: STEM, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, James W. Detmers, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Publication number: 20160342170
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Ben KEARNS, Jon BURLINSON, Drew STEVENS
  • Patent number: 9418392
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: STEM, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 9406094
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Stem Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens
  • Patent number: 8880233
    Abstract: A control system for an energy storage system located behind a utility meter uses a unique, feedback-based, communication and control method to reliably and efficiently maximize economic return of the energy storage system. Operating parameters for the energy storage system are calculated at an external, centralized data center, and are selected to prevent electrical power demand of an electric load location from exceeding a specified set-point by discharging energy storage devices, such as DC batteries, through a bidirectional energy converter during peak demand events. The control system can operate autonomously in the case of a communications failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: STEM Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens