A system for registering power outlets to charge electrical and electronic devices includes a database for storing subscriber data relating to subscribers registered with the system and power outlet data relating to registered outlets. A server receives the power outlet data for a power outlet from the subscriber, registers the power outlet with a power outlet management system if the power outlet has not previously been registered and stores the power outlet data for the power outlets in the database. The server receives a search request for a power outlet from the subscriber. The search request includes location information defining an area of search for the power outlet. The server locates at least one power outlet within the area of search that is registered with the power outlet management system and provides a location of the at least one power outlet located within the area of search to the subscriber.

Systems and methods for market-based financial settlement in an electric power grid are disclosed. A settlement processor is constructed and configured for IP-based communication with at least one active grid element via at least one coordinator. The at least one active grid element is registered with the at least one coordinator to participate within the electric power grid. The at least one coordinator tracks the at least one active grid element in the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element transmits at least one IP-based settlement message to the settlement processor via the at least one coordinator. The at least one IP-based settlement message comprises at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit, and the at least one KWP unit is based on measurement data for a participation of the at least one active grid element in the electric power grid. The settlement processor provides a market-based financial settlement for the participation of the at least one active grid element based on the at least one KWP unit in real time or near real time.

Methods and systems are provided. One method includes processing operations to share electronic keys (e-keys). The method includes receiving a request to share an electronic key (e-key) of a vehicle with a recipient device. The request to share the e-key is initiated by sending a message to the recipient device using a sharing device. The method includes processing the request to validate the request to share the e-key, as received from the sharing device having associated therewith a registered owner e-key. Processing the request includes generating the e-key securely by the sharing device and registering the e-key that was generated with a server associated with a manufacturer of the vehicle. The method includes enabling the e-key for use on the vehicle by the recipient device responsive to said processing of the request. The request to share the e-key includes enabling a setting to apply a privilege level for use of the vehicle via the e-key. The privilege level provides one or more conditions of use of the vehicle via the e-key.

Systems and methods for market-based financial settlement of transactions within an electric power grid are disclosed. At least one active grid element is constructed and configured in Internet Protocol (IP)-based network communication with a settlement processor via at least one coordinator in real-time or in a predetermined timeframe. The at least one active grid element generates revenue grade metrology data based on measurement and verification for a participation of the at least one active grid element in the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element provides automated messaging to the settlement processor. The settlement processor provides a market-based financial settlement message based upon the revenue grade metrology data and a kilowatt packet (KWP) unit. The KWP unit provides a quantifying market rate for monetization for any unit of kilowatts with respect to time.

An apparatus, including a power management computer; a fuel intake device which collects or recovers a fuel; a fuel storage device which stores the fuel; an electrical power generator which generates electrical power from or with the fuel; a power storage device or power pass-through system; and an electrical power supply system which provides at least some of the electrical power to a vehicle or premises, a public electrical energy grid, a private electrical energy grid, or a blockchain mining or transaction processing computer, or which recharges a battery of a stationary or moving vehicle; and a meter which records information regarding an amount or quantity of electrical power provided by the electrical power supply system. The power management computer processes information regarding the amount or quantity of the electrical power provided. Information regarding the electrical power provided is stored in a distributed ledger and blockchain technology system.

Systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments for electric power grid and network registration and management of physical and financial settlement for participation of active grid elements in supply and/or curtailment of power. Settlement is provided for grid elements that participate in the electric power grid following initial registration of each grid element with the system, preferably through network-based communication between the grid elements and a coordinator, either in coordination with or outside of an IP-based communications network router. A multiplicity of active grid elements function in the grid for supply capacity, supply and/or load curtailment as supply or capacity, and are compensated through settlement for their functional participation in the electric power grid. Also, messaging related to settlement is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

An energy resource network with plurality of energy resources each capable of delivering a quantum of energy; and a plurality of energy-consuming-devices each capable of accepting a quantum of energy. Each energy resource is associated with an energy-resource-processor which is configured to issue one or more offer-messages in respect of a quantum of energy available for supply from the energy resource Each energy-consuming-device is associated with at least one energy-consuming-processor) that is configured to receive one or more offer-messages in respect of a transaction for receiving a quantum of energy from one of the energy resources The energy-resource-processor and/or the energy-consuming-processor being configured to issue a cryptographically-secured transaction record of the transaction for inclusion within a publicly-available distributed ledger.

Systems and methods for market-based financial settlement in an electric power grid are disclosed. At least one active grid element is constructed and configured in network communication with a settlement processor. The at least one active grid element participates in the electric power grid by consuming power, supplying power, and/or curtailing power to provide operating reserves and/or grid stability for the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element generates at least one kilowatt packet (KWP) unit based upon measured data for the participation in the electric power grid. The at least one active grid element transmits at least one IP-based settlement message to the settlement processor. The settlement processor provides a market-based financial settlement for the participation of the at least one active grid element based on the at least one KWP unit in real time or near real time.

A system for pumping gasoline includes a gasoline pumping assembly including a gasoline dispenser configured to perform a fueling process for a fueling process cost and a voucher assembly communicably coupled to the gasoline pumping assembly. The voucher assembly can include a coin receiver configured to receive a plurality of coins of a total value from a user and a voucher dispenser configured to provide to the user a remaining balance via a voucher when the total value is greater than the fueling process cost. The voucher can be a physical or digital voucher and can represent a value of the difference between the total value and the fueling process cost. The voucher can be redeemable for later fuel purchases or at related establishments.

Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are described for using a vehicle as a payment device. Various aspects may include receiving a selection of a stored financial card or financial account at a vehicle head unit. The selected financial card or financial account may be transmitted to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal for making a payment by transmitting a tokenized card number to the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted over a very short-range communication link to ensure that the transmission is secure. For example, electronic circuitry may be attached to the exterior of the vehicle, where the electronic circuitry may be within a threshold distance (e.g. one inch, three inches, six inches, one foot, three feet, etc.) of the POS terminal. The tokenized card number may be transmitted from the vehicle head unit to the electronic circuitry and then to the POS terminal.