Methods and systems for improved creation, monitoring, and updating of energy transactions are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a request to originate a contract for an energy transaction. Transaction information concerning the energy transaction may be received and may identify a type of energy resource and parties for the energy transaction. A requirement for the energy transaction may be identified within the contract codex and at least one condition may be determined based on the requirement. An updated contract may be generated by adding the at least one condition to the contract. Information regarding the updated contract may be stored on the distributed ledger.

A method for controlling an off-grid energy system. The off-grid energy system includes a gateway energy device and an expansion energy device. The gateway energy device comprising a gateway energy device, the gateway energy device comprising a first energy source, a first battery for storing energy from the first energy source, a first power output for outputting energy from the first battery, a first output lock for controlling the first power output, and a first radiofrequency (RF) transceiver. The expansion energy device comprising a second energy source, a second battery for storing energy from the second energy source, a second power output for outputting energy from the second battery, a second output lock for controlling the second power output, and a second RF transceiver for communicating with the first RF transceiver of the gateway energy device. The method includes the following steps: receiving a financial account status of the system from a financial account server; locking or unlocking the first power output of the gateway energy device responsive to the received financial account status; connecting with the at least one expansion energy device; sending instructions to operate or lock the at least one expansion energy device based on the received financial account status of the system; locking or unlocking the second power output of the at least one expansion energy device responsive to the received financial account status; and conserving power by limiting communications with the at least one expansion energy device during certain periods.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices. To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source. As demand at individual collection, charging and distribution machines increases or decreases relative to other collection, charging and distribution machines, a distribution management system initiates redistribution of portable electrical energy storage devices from one collection, charging and distribution machine to another collection, charging and distribution machine in an expeditious manner. Also, redeemable incentives are offered to users to return or exchange their portable electrical energy storage devices at selected collection, charging and distribution machines within the network to effect the redistribution.

Provided is a control method including: receiving, from first power equipment, first transaction data including, for example, transmitted power amount information indicating the amount of power transmitted to power accumulation equipment; obtaining, from the power accumulation equipment, received power information including, for example, received power amount information indicating the amount of power received from the first power equipment; verifying the first transaction data by referring to the received power information; executing a first consensus algorithm with second servers when the first transaction data is verified successfully; and recording a block including the first transaction data in a distributed ledger of a first server when the validity of the first transaction data is verified through the first consensus algorithm.

A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

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.

A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.

An apparatus for replacing a used battery pack of a portable device with a charged battery pack. The apparatus is configured to receive a portable device with the battery pack housed therein, unlock the battery pack by automation means and extract it from the housing, insert and lock another battery pack into the housing. In another aspect, the invention relates to a portable device comprising a battery pack and battery pack housing, which is configured to be inserted into the housing, locked therein and provide electrical charge either to the housing or to devices that are electrically connected to the housing. The battery pack may be unlocked and retrieved from the housing and, in turn, replaced with another battery pack (e.g. a charged battery pack).

A campsite utility access pedestal is disclosed. The campsite utility access pedestal comprises an input port configured to receive a utility. The campsite utility access pedestal also comprises an output port configured to supply a campsite with the utility. A coupling mechanism is configured to couple the input port to the output port when the coupling mechanism is actuated. A control board is configured to actuate the coupling mechanism in response to receiving an indication of payment for the utility.

Provided is a control method including: receiving, from first power equipment, first transaction data including, for example, transmitted power amount information indicating the amount of power transmitted to power accumulation equipment; obtaining, from the power accumulation equipment, received power information including, for example, received power amount information indicating the amount of power received from the first power equipment; verifying the first transaction data by referring to the received power information; executing a first consensus algorithm with second servers when the first transaction data is verified successfully; and recording a block including the first transaction data in a distributed ledger of a first server when the validity of the first transaction data is verified through the first consensus algorithm.