System and method for enabling the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles

A system for enabling the real time buying and selling of electrical power between a vehicle having a fuel cell power unit and an energy service provider utilizing a network of a network communication system for providing real time communication between at least the vehicle and the energy service provider to facilitate the real time buying and selling of electrical power, the system comprising:

• connections to at least one vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity;
• a controller on each vehicle for handing over control of the fuel cell power unit of each respective vehicle to the energy service provider, to enable the energy service provider to make determinations of when to operate the fuel cell power unit of each vehicle and to set the load level for each fuel cell power unit using data and information received via said network;
• and wherein each controller is further controls
• the process of consumption of fuel by each respective vehicle and the generation of electricity by the respective vehicle based on the determinations made, and
• to collect data on the quantity of fuel consumed and amounts of electricity generated, when fuel is consumed by each respective vehicle and electricity generated by each respective vehicle, and for calculating the cost of the fuel and the value of the electricity generated, thereby accounting for fuel consumed and electricity generated by the respective vehicle.

A system of generating electrical power utilizing fuel cell power units of vehicles, the system comprising;

• connections to a plurality of fuel cell powered vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity from the vehicle;
• a fuel supply associated with each vehicle and a fuel controller to measure and charge for fuel used by each vehicle;
• electricity receiving device for receiving electricity generated by each vehicle, wherein the electricity received is paid for at a first, interruptible rate;
• and
• an aggregation unit for aggregating the electricity generated by the plurality of vehicles, wherein the aggregated electricity is resold as an uninterruptible electrical supply at a higher, uninterruptible rate.

A system of generating electricity from the fuel cell power unit of a fuel cell powered vehicle, the system comprising;

• a vehicle having a fuel supply;
• vehicle connections over which electricity generated in the fuel cell power unit is transferred from the vehicle;
• an electricity generation system coupled to the vehicle by the vehicle connections, wherein the electricity generation system divides the generated electricity into first and second portions, and permit the first portion of generated electricity to be consumed locally,
• to transmit and sell the second portion of generated electricity to an electricity transmission and distribution grid;
• and
• to meter the net amount of electricity transmitted to the transmission and distribution grid, or taken from the transmission and distribution grid, in a set time period.

A system of generating electrical power from a vehicle including a fuel cell power unit and financing the cost of the vehicle, the system comprising:

• a fuel cell powered vehicle operated by the vehicle operator;
• a controller for the vehicle enabling the vehicle operator to enter into a contract providing for at least one of an initial lump sum payment and regular payments to cover at least part of the cost of the vehicle;
• wherein the contract provides for the operator to commit to parking the vehicle at selected docking stations for generation of electricity;
• a fuel supply for supplying fuel to the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at one of the selected docking stations;
• wherein electricity is generated from the fuel cell power unit of the vehicle for sale when the vehicle is parked, to generate income generated from the sale of electricity to cover part of the cost of the vehicle.

A network communication system, for enabling the real time buying and selling of electrical power between a plurality of vehicles, each having a fuel cell power unit, and an energy service provider, the system comprising:

• a network communication system for providing real time communication between each vehicle and the energy service provider to facilitate the real time buying and selling of electrical power;
• a plurality of docking stations, each including connections for at least one vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity;
• a controller on each vehicle for handing over control of the fuel cell power unit of each respective vehicle to the energy service provider, to enable the energy service provider to make determinations of when to operate the fuel cell power unit of each vehicle and to set the load level for each fuel cell power unit using data and information received via said network;
• wherein each of the plurality of vehicles comprises a fuel cell unit;
• wherein each of said plurality of vehicles and said plurality of docking stations is associated with a unique digital identifier, the unique digital identifier of each vehicle being required for control of the controller thereof;
• and
• wherein the identifier facilitates identifying the respective vehicle or docking station in said network.

A method for trading electricity, the method comprising:

• negotiating a contract for electricity, wherein said electricity is generated by one or more fuel cell units, wherein said one or more fuel cell units are operable in at least one vehicle to generate electricity, and wherein said electricity is supplied by said vehicle when coupled to a docking station;
• obtaining said electricity from said vehicle via said docking station;
• and
• purchasing said obtained electricity in accordance with said contract.