US 10,756,543 B2Granted

Method and apparatus for stabalizing power on an electrical grid using networked distributed energy storage systems

AssigneeStem, Inc.

InventorsJames W. Detmers, Ben Kearns, Jon Burlinson, Drew Stevens

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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.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for managing power flow from an electrical grid to an electric load location, comprising:

two or more different detectors that are each separately configured to measure a characteristic of electrical power received from a portion of the electrical grid via a first power line located in the electric load location, wherein the first power line includes a plurality of phases, and each detector included in the two or more different detectors corresponds to a different phase included in the plurality of phases;
a first energy storage device located in the electric load location that is in electrical communication with a first phase of the first power line, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source and a first bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the first energy source and the first phase of the first power line, and wherein a first detector included in the two or more detectors is associated with the first energy storage device and measures power transferred between the portion of the electrical grid and the first phase of the first power line;
a second energy storage device located in the electric load location that is in electrical communication with a second phase of the first power line, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the second energy source and the second phase of the first power line, and wherein a second detector included in the two or more detectors is associated with the second energy storage device and measures power transferred between the portion of the electrical grid and the second phase of the first power line;
and
a first controller located in the electric load location that is in communication with the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device, and is configured to control a transfer of energy between the first phase of the first power line and the first energy source using the first bidirectional power converter in response to receiving power data from each of the two or more different detectors, and to control a transfer of energy between the second phase of the first power line and the second energy source using the second bidirectional power converter in response to receiving power data from each of the two or more different detectors.

2 more elements

A method of managing power flow from an electrical grid to an electric load location, comprising:

monitoring, via two or more different detectors, an amount of power received from a portion of the electrical grid via an electric power line located in the electric load location, wherein the electric power line comprises a plurality of phases, and each detector included in the two or more different detectors corresponds to a different phase included in the plurality of phases;
controlling, by a first controller located in the electric load location, a transfer of power between a first energy storage device located in the electric load location and a first phase of the electric power line in response to receiving power data from each of the two or more different detectors, wherein the first energy storage device comprises a first energy source and a first bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the first energy source and the first phase of the electric power line, wherein a first detector included in the two or more detectors is associated with the first energy storage device;
and
controlling, by the first controller, a transfer of power between a second energy storage device located in the electric load location and a second phase of the electric power line in response to receiving power data from each of the two or more different detectors, wherein the second energy storage device comprises a second energy source and a second bidirectional power converter that is coupled between the second energy source and the second phase of the electric power line, wherein a second detector included in the two or more detectors is associated with the second energy storage device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/069,088Filed 31 Oct 2013 · continuation in part
Priority: 13 Sep 2012
Published: US 2014/0070617 A113 Mar 2014
Granted: 25 Aug 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

H02J 3/0014
Arrangements for handling faults or abnormalities, e.g. emergencies or contingencies: for preventing or reducing power oscillations in networks
H02J 3/00
Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
H02J 3/003
Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks: load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
H02J 3/32
Arrangements for balancing of the load in networks by storage of energy: using batteries or super capacitors with converting means

Family

Application61/700,840Us provisional application · filed 13 Sep 2012
Application61/717,528Us provisional application · filed 23 Oct 2012
Application61/720,940Us provisional application · filed 31 Oct 2012
Application61/801,274Us provisional application · filed 15 Mar 2013
Application14/026,993Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 13 Sep 2013
Application14/061,643Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Oct 2013
US 2014/0070617 A1Pre-grant publication · published 13 Mar 2014
US 10,389,126 B2Related patent
US 2014/0070756 A1Published application
US 2014/0074311 A1Published application
US 9,634,508 B2Related patent
US 10,756,543 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.