Composite Power Station Systems and Methods

Abstract

A method and stand-alone composite power station having multiple power sources including one or more photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and/or generators, detached from a utility grid. The composite power station supplies power to the composite energy storage arrangement for supplying power to equipment, vehicles, and/or power consumers. The power station includes a composite energy storage arrangement having at least one stationary element and at least one mobile element. A composite power import processing arrangement supplies power to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element under allocation control of a composite power import allocation arrangement, and a composite power export processing arrangement supplies power from at least one stationary element and mobile element under allocation control of a composite power export allocation arrangement for downstream use by a vehicle, equipment, and/or power consumer.

Claims

1. A composite power station for use in connection with equipment items, vehicles, and power consumers, the composite power station comprising: a composite energy storage arrangement having at least one stationary element and at least one mobile element; a composite power import processing arrangement configured to supply power to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; a composite power export processing arrangement configured to export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element to at least one of the equipment items, vehicles, and power consumers; a composite power import allocation arrangement communicatively connected to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element configured to selectively allocate power imported to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; a composite power export allocation arrangement communicatively connected to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element configured to selectively export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; and at least one of a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, and a generator configured to supply power to the composite energy storage arrangement.

2. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that sizes capacities of the composite energy storage arrangement.

3. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported by the composite power import processing arrangement.

4. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be exported from composite power import processing arrangement.

5. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element.

6. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be allocated from the stationary element and the mobile element.

7. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element.

8. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be provided to predetermined power consumers.

9. The composite power station of claim 1, further comprising: an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, and the composite power export allocation arrangement.

10. A composite power station for use in connection with equipment items, vehicles, and power consumers, the composite power station comprising: a composite energy storage arrangement having at least one stationary element and at least one mobile element; a composite power import processing arrangement configured to supply power to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; a composite power export processing arrangement configured to export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element to at least one of the equipment items, vehicles, and power consumers; a composite power import allocation arrangement configured to selectively allocate power imported to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; a composite power export allocation arrangement configured to selectively export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; at least one of a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, and a generator configured to supply power to the composite energy storage arrangement; a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element; a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be allocated from the stationary element and the mobile element; and a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element.

11. The composite power station of claim 10, further comprising: a logic arrangement that sizes capacities of the composite energy storage arrangement; a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported by the composite power import processing arrangement; a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be exported from composite power import processing arrangement; and a logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be provided to predetermined power consumers.

12. The composite power station of claim 11, further comprising: an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element, the logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be allocated from the stationary element and the mobile element, and the logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element.

13. A method, comprising: providing a composite energy storage arrangement having at least one stationary element and at least one mobile element and a composite power import processing arrangement configured to supply power to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; providing a composite power export processing arrangement configured to export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element to at least one of the equipment items, vehicles, and power consumers; providing a composite power import allocation arrangement configured to selectively allocate power imported to at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; providing a composite power export allocation arrangement configured to selectively export power from at least one of the stationary element and the mobile element; providing at least one of a photovoltaic panel, a wind turbine, and a generator configured to supply power to the composite energy storage arrangement configured to supply power to the composite energy storage arrangement; providing a first logic arrangement that determines at least one of the amount of power to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element, the amount of power to be allocated from the stationary element and the mobile element, the amount of power to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element; providing an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement; and using the integrated oversight and control logic arrangement to the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, and the composite power export allocation arrangement.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: providing a first logic arrangement that determines at least one of the amount of power to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element, the amount of power to be allocated from the stationary element and the mobile element, the amount of power to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, and the first logic arrangement.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: providing a second logic arrangement that sizes capacities of the composite energy storage arrangement; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, and the second logic arrangement.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: providing a third logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported by the composite power import processing arrangement; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, the second logic arrangement, and the third logic arrangement.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: providing a fourth logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be exported from composite power import processing arrangement; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, the second logic arrangement, the third logic arrangement, and the fourth logic arrangement.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a fifth logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be imported to the stationary element and the mobile element. an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, the second logic arrangement, the third logic arrangement, the fourth logic arrangement, and the fifth logic arrangement.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: providing a sixth logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be taken from the stationary element and the mobile element; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, the second logic arrangement, the third logic arrangement, the fourth logic arrangement, the fifth logic arrangement, and the sixth logic arrangement.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: providing a seventh logic arrangement that determines how much power is to be provided to predetermined power consumers; and an integrated oversight and control logic arrangement configured to control at least two different ones of the following: the composite energy storage arrangement, the composite power import processing arrangement, the composite power export processing arrangement, the composite power import allocation arrangement, the composite power export allocation arrangement, the first logic arrangement, the second logic arrangement, the third logic arrangement, the fourth logic arrangement, the fifth logic arrangement, the sixth logic arrangement, and the seventh logic arrangement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Having thus described exemplary aspects of the disclosure in general terms, various features and attendant advantages of the disclosed concepts will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of one implementation of a charging system of the present disclosure; and

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example of an implementation of elements used in a charging system of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all examples of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various exemplary aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one implementation of a composite power station, generally 100, of the present disclosure is illustrated. Composite power station 100 includes mobile power, generally M, and/or stationary power, generally S, and energy storage elements, or components. Mobile power elements may include one or more electrically-powered mobile work platforms (“MWPs”), generally 102. MWPs of various configurations may be arranged to provide flexibility of operation, capacity, and power delivery. MWPs can serve as mobile energy storage and power export elements as needed, and the relationship of MWPs and stationary power and energy storage ST components is shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] Energy storage components, such as MWPs, can be added or removed from such composite power station 100, thereby decreasing the risks of investment capital being used inefficiently and/or unusable due to potential inappropriate sizing of energy storage elements during design of a composite power station 100. Mobile energy components M can be readily added if demand for power from such composite power station 100 and/or for energy storage increase, and similarly, such energy storage components ST may be taken out of service and/or moved elsewhere for use or storage if the incremental amount of energy storage provided by such mobile energy storage component ST is not necessary.

[0043] Mobile energy components M may include one or more MWPs, as discussed above, and/or other electric-powered or hybrid vehicle or mobile device, including, but not limited to, cargo handlers 110, terminal tractors 112, regional tractors 114, electric transportation refrigeration units 116, etc. Storage ST may include storage and power access capabilities of infrastructure energy storage, but components M, by being mobile and not stationary, constructed infrastructure, are much easier to deploy quickly. This can be of paramount importance with respect to quickly establishing a power station 100 in response to an emergency event, military usage, etc., and for site location where permitting, compliance with codes, construction planning, inspections, etc. inordinately delaying lead times and ultimate construction, startup and power delivery experienced by conventional power plants.

[0044] In another implementation of a composite power station 100, a MWP may be included having the ability to carry attachments at one or more ends thereof and may include inclusion of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) equipment and converters 122 and/or electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 130 as part of the MWP configuration. Inclusion of MPPT 122 and/or EVSE 130 results in expansion of the value of the MWP as a mobile substitute asset in lieu of fixed or substantially fixed, stationary, traditional power generation/storage components, and potentially opens a number of degrees of freedom for flexibility and/or optimization of application of the MWP and/or such power station 100.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, in composite power station 100, a relationship exists between seven elements of implementation and eight elements of logic for optimization/sizing and/or self-verification related to each element of implementation. Briefly, the seven elements of implementation include composite energy storage arrangement, generally 1, which includes both stationary and mobile (such as an MWP and/or stationary battery storage) elements. Composite power import processing arrangement 2 includes stationary S and mobile M sources. Composite power export processing arrangement 3 is directed to the export of power for charging and/or operation of equipment and/or vehicles, including consumer uses such as residential, passenger vehicle charging, golf cart charging, etc. Composite power import allocation arrangement 4 is directed to importation of power to station 100 from stationary S and/or mobile M storage (which could include for example one or more MWPs, or other mobile equipment, such as cargo handlers 110, terminal tractors 112, regional tractors 114, trailer 116, etc. (FIG. 1)). Composite power export allocation arrangement 5, allocates power from either stationary S or mobile M storage and multiple types of power sources, generally 6, include sources such as photovoltaic panels 104, wind turbines 106 (FIG. 2), generators, etc. for supplying power to station 100, and multi-type power consumers, generally 7, including power users, such as stationary, mobile, fleet, private users, etc.

[0046] Briefly, the eight elements of logic or function for sizing of one or more implementations include logic arrangement and/or software 8 for composite energy storage arrangement 1, namely, for sizing of capacities. Logic arrangement and/or software 9 for composite power import processing arrangement 2 determines how much power is to be imported from stationary S sources versus mobile M sources. Logic arrangement and/or software 10 for composite power export processing arrangement 3 determines how much power is to be exported from stationary S versus mobile M sources. Logic arrangement and/or software 11 for composite power import allocation arrangement 4 determines how much power is to be imported from stationary S versus mobile M sources. Logic arrangement and/or software 12 for composite power export allocation arrangement 5 determines how much power is to be allocated from stationary S to mobile M sources. Logic arrangement and/or software 13 for multi-type power sources 12 determines how much power is to come from particular type of sources, i.e., mobile M and/or stationary S source. Logic arrangement and/or software 14 for multi-type power consumers 7 determines how much power is to be provided to which particular type(s) of consumers, and integrated oversight and control logic arrangement and/or software 15 controls one or more of the elements above denoted by reference characters 1 through 14 above.

[0047] More specifically, composite energy storage arrangement 1 is comprised of stationary and mobile components. The value of having such a combination could include:

[0048] (i) decreasing of risk associated with potential improper sizing of the energy storage component of a zero-emission power station; and

[0049] (ii) reduction of time and expense related to construction of stationary energy storage infrastructure. While existing vehicle-to-grid (V2G) projects have stationary storage that could have the potential of providing for this nature of functionality, V2G systems generally do not treat the mobile components as known mobile energy assets that also serve as power processing assets.

[0050] Composite power import processing arrangement 2 includes processing, by mobile and stationary processing components, of source power into one or more forms suitable for storage in the composite energy storage element. In photovoltaic (PV) power systems, generally 104, power import processing from the PV source generally takes the form of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) power converters. As with the mobile energy storage components, mobility of at least some component of import processing should reduce the risk of improper sizing and also reduce infrastructure construction time. This component of processing is usually part of power-source-to-grid system, and in a V2G arrangement, the relationship between the mobile source M, which may be a vehicle, generally V, and grid, is that of the vehicle-as-storage drawing power from the grid and not acting as processor of source power to the grid.

[0051] Composite power export processing arrangement 3 includes composite power export processing of composite stored energy into one or more forms suitable for end use. In PV electric vehicle charging systems, power export processing takes the form of power converters that feed or are the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSEs) 130. As with the mobile energy storage components and power import processing, mobility of at least some component of export processing should reduce the risk of improper sizing and also reduce infrastructure construction time.

[0052] Composite power import allocation arrangement 4 includes source power to either mobile or stationary energy storage components and determines the proportion or amount that goes to each. Regardless of whether a system uses a single processor or multiple processors for a calculation process, composite power station 100 may be configured to generally arrive at a single, common import allocation for a planned period of time.

[0053] Composite power export allocation arrangement 5 includes allocation of export power from either mobile M or stationary S energy storage components and determining the proportion or amount that comes from each to feed power export processors. In a fashion similar to composite power import allocation, each composite power station must arrive at a single, common export allocation for a planned period of time.

[0054] Multi-type power sources 6 includes multiple/multiple-type power sources of power feeding the composite power station whose nature of output and interface requirements dictate the requirements of the power import processing equipment. Nothing precludes use of only a single type of power source, but use of multiple types of sources may improve the ability of a power station to collect and supply power across varying environmental conditions.

[0055] Multi-type power consumers 7 includes multiple/multiple-type power consumers, namely, the users of power from the composite power station 100 whose nature of use and interface requirements dictate the requirements of the power export processing equipment. Nothing precludes supplying power to only a single type of power consumer, but the ability to supply multiple types of consumers may improve the value of a power station across varying consumer power usage patterns.

[0056] Logic arrangement and/or software 8 includes logic for composite energy storage arrangements 1 and logic or algorithms for station-level systems for optimizing mobile energy to determine the best amount of mobile energy storage for a composite power station 100 across a planned period of time. It is generally preferable to avoid removal and/or repeated installation of stationary storage components of a power station 100, so the combination of stationary storage elements at a particular composite power station would generally be fixed, and the mobile storage components of MWP form would provide the ability to either increase energy storage capacity or decrease temporarily unneeded capacity and for redeployment as mobile work assets.

[0057] Logic arrangement and/or software 9 includes use of software logic and/or algorithms for composite power import processing arrangements 2 to determine the best combination of power import processing equipment to process composite source power to a form suitable for accumulation to energy storage in composite energy storage.

[0058] Logic arrangement and/or software 10 for composite power export processing arrangement 3 determine the best combination of power export processing equipment to convert composite stored energy to one or more forms suitable for projected power users across a planned period of time.

[0059] Logic arrangement and/or software 11 for composite power import allocation arrangement 4 determines allocation of source power to either mobile M or stationary S energy storage components and what proportion or amount goes to each across a planned window of time.

[0060] Logic arrangement and/or software 12 for composite power export allocation arrangement 5 determines allocation of export power from either mobile or stationary energy storage components and what proportion or amount goes to which power export processor(s) across a planned window of time.

[0061] Logic arrangement and/or software 13 for multi-type power sources 12 projects the most likely optimal production of power from the combination of sources of a composite power station across a planned period of time. Regardless of whether a system uses a single processor or multiple processors to project the optimal combination, each composite station arrives at a single projection of an optimized combination of sources for the planned period of time.

[0062] Logic arrangement and/or software 14 for multi-type power consumers 7 projects the most likely consumption of power from the combination of consumers who will use power across a planned period of time. Regardless of whether a system uses a single processor or multiple processors to project the combination, each composite station arrives at a single projection of most likely combination of consumers for the planned period of time.

[0063] Integrated oversight and control logic arrangement and/or software 15 provides overarching software logic or algorithms that monitor and assess if the one or more of the foregoing elements denoted by reference characters 1 through 14 yield interrelationship behaviors and overall functionality and performance to provide power supply capabilities that meet power consumer needs. This amounts to overall process monitoring and feedback assessment and control over the entire composite power station as an integrated system. Such integrated oversight and control monitors the entire composite power station and takes into account seasonal change (and the corresponding energy needs of both the power system 100 and components, or, implements connected to power station 100), of PV panel efficiencies. Such integrated system also allows, given the number of internal combustion (IC) vehicles and/or equipment items (such as diesel, gasoline, and propane vehicles), and the individual fuel usage of such vehicles and/or equipment for the precise number of solar panels required for a power station 100, the number and types of chargers required, and the required battery storage capacity, thereby allowing the power station 100 to be properly specified for construction and deployment. The integrated system also allows for the precise electrical flow into and out of vehicles and equipment items connected to power station 100.

[0064] The systems and/or methods described herein provide composite power stations having flexible configurations that reduce or eliminate the necessity of connection to a power grid for providing energy import, storage, and export while still being able to satisfy a broad range of uses.

[0065] Although specific features of various examples of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

[0066] This written description uses examples to disclose various examples, which include the best mode, to enable any person skilled in the art to practice those examples, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art who may or may not choose to draw from the following: U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 62/682,145, of Dannar et al, filed Jun. 7, 2018 and Solar Powered Charging Station, Kondracki, Ryan; Collins, Courtney; Habbab, Khalid, ASEE 2014 Zone I Conference, Apr. 3-5, 2014, University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Conn., USA, http://www.asee.org/documents/zones/zone1/2014/Student/PDFs/125.pdf; and GoSolarKB, www.gosolarkb.com, the entirety of all of the foregoing being incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] Although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example implementations in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative implementations without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. While specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation