An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

A power line system is provided for efficiently using excess electrical energy produced by electric vehicles in a generation mode. A power line detector on the vehicle senses the power line to determine if voltage ripples are present before supplying excess electrical energy from the vehicle to the power line. First voltage ripples are generated on the line by a substation providing power to the power line. Second voltage ripples are also generated on the power line by a ripple generator to allow excess energy from the vehicle to be supplied to the power line in order to charge an energy storage system.

A method of operating a vehicle includes a vehicle controller receiving an operator-input vehicle control command with an associated torque request, and identifying any propulsion actuator constraints that limit a brake torque capacity available from the vehicle powertrain. Using the propulsion actuator constraint(s) and torque request, the controller determines a propulsion brake torque distribution for the vehicle's road wheels and a maximum brake torque capacity for the powertrain actuator(s). A first brake torque request is determined using the propulsion brake torque distribution and a vehicle control mode of the powertrain system, and a second brake torque request is determined using the maximum brake torque capacity and the vehicle control mode. A friction brake torque command is determined by arbitrating between the first and second brake torque requests. The vehicle controller transmits the friction brake torque command to the friction brake system and a powertrain brake command to the powertrain actuator(s).

A resistive grid includes a frame and at least one resistive element. The frame has a first frame end and a second frame end opposite the first frame end. The first frame end and the second frame end are joined by frame sides. The first frame end has a first length that is shorter than a second length of the second frame end. The at least one resistive element extends between the first frame end and the second frame end. The at least one resistive element has a first portion proximate the first frame end, and a second portion proximate the second frame end. The first portion is configured to have one or both of decreased heat generation or decreased electrical resistance relative to the second portion.

A resistor includes an elongated cylindrical body having nodes and elongated members. The elongated members interconnect the nodes to form openings between the nodes and the elongated members for the flow therethrough of a cooling fluid. The body is configured to receive electric current from a powered system and to conduct and provide electric resistance to the electric current to dissipate at least part of the electric current as heat from the body. The body may be coupled with at least one other resistor of the powered system in one or more of a parallel or series arrangement in an electric circuit.

A system for feeding electric power to a first consumer (1) comprises an input filter (6) with an input configured to be connected to a DC energy source and a DC intermediate link (3) connected to an output (14) of the input filter. A converter (12) is with an input connected to the DC intermediate link and has an output to be connected to said first consumer (1). The unit (16) controls the converter to obtain feeding of electric power requested by the first consumer independently of variations of the voltage on the DC link (3). An assembly is configured to act stabilizing on that voltage by controlling the converter to add a first power component to the power to be fed to the consumer. A second consumer (19) is controlled to consume a second power component to either assist the control of the converter to obtain the stabilization or alone take care thereof.

A system for feeding electric power to a first consumer (1) comprises an input filter (6) with an input configured to be connected to a DC energy source and a DC intermediate link (3) connected to an output (14) of the input filter. A converter (12) is with an input connected to the DC intermediate link and has an output to be connected to said first consumer (1). The unit (16) controls the converter to obtain feeding of electric power requested by the first consumer independently of variations of the voltage on the DC link (3). An assembly is configured to act stabilizing on that voltage by controlling the converter to add a first power component to the power to be fed to the consumer. A second consumer (19) is controlled to consume a second power component to either assist the control of the converter to obtain the stabilization or alone take care thereof.

An electrical brake energy feedback system, including a rectifier and inverter circuit, an intermediate DC circuit, a first voltage detection circuit configured to detect voltages of positive and negative terminals of the intermediate DC circuit to obtain a first voltage signal, a bidirectional DC/DC conversion circuit and/or a regeneration control circuit, and an electrical energy flow control circuit for controlling operating states of the bidirectional DC/DC conversion circuit and/or the regeneration control circuit according to the first voltage signal. With this system, the electrical brake energy can be recovered to the greatest extent when the vehicle is running in different zones, and the electrical brake energy consumed by the brake resistor is as little as possible. Accordingly, the vehicle and the entire transportation system can be more energy-saving and environmentally friendly.

An electrical brake energy feedback system, including a rectifier and inverter circuit, an intermediate DC circuit, a first voltage detection circuit configured to detect voltages of positive and negative terminals of the intermediate DC circuit to obtain a first voltage signal, a bidirectional DC/DC conversion circuit and/or a regeneration control circuit, and an electrical energy flow control circuit for controlling operating states of the bidirectional DC/DC conversion circuit and/or the regeneration control circuit according to the first voltage signal. With this system, the electrical brake energy can be recovered to the greatest extent when the vehicle is running in different zones, and the electrical brake energy consumed by the brake resistor is as little as possible. Accordingly, the vehicle and the entire transportation system can be more energy-saving and environmentally friendly.