Hybrid vehicle recharging system and method of operation

Abstract

A system and method for recharging a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The system includes a controller that schedules the recharging of the vehicles on local electrical distribution networks. The system arranges the schedule to minimize the demand loading on the local distribution network to more efficiently operate power plants providing electrical power to the distribution networks. A system for collecting charges associated with the recharging of plug-in hybrid vehicles is also disclosed providing for prepaid utility accounts.

1 . A method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles connected to a utility network, said method comprising:
 determining a number of hybrid vehicles connected to said utility network, said hybrid vehicles being positioned in separate locations;   determining an electrical power characteristic of said utility network to deliver electrical power to at least one location;   determining an off-peak period based on an electrical demand profile for said utility network;   scheduling charge times for each of said hybrid vehicles during said off-peak period, wherein said scheduling is based on said electrical power characteristic, said electrical demand profile and said number of said hybrid vehicles; and,   activating charging of each of said hybrid vehicles during said scheduled charge times.   
     
     
         2 . The method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of  claim 1  connected to a utility network of  claim 1  wherein said electrical power characteristic includes a power delivery threshold of said at least one location. 
     
     
         3 . The method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of  claim 2  further comprising:
 determining an electrical power availability to said utility network; and,   scheduling said charge times for each of said hybrid vehicles to allow charging of each of said hybrid vehicles without exceeding said electrical power availability.   
     
     
         4 . The method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of  claim 3  further comprising:
 determining a base electrical demand for electrical loads on said utility network; and,   determining a hybrid vehicle demand for said hybrid vehicles on said utility network.   
     
     
         5 . The method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of  claim 4  further comprising:
 deactivating charging of one or more hybrid vehicles when said base electrical demand and said hybrid vehicle demand exceeds said power delivery threshold of said at least one location.   
     
     
         6 . The method for charging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of  claim 4  further comprising:
 deactivating charging of one or more hybrid vehicles when said base electrical demand and said hybrid vehicle demand exceeds said electrical power availability from a utility distribution network to said utility network.   
     
     
         7 . A method for charging a plurality of vehicles comprising:
 determining a number of vehicles electrically coupled to a utility network for charging batteries associated with said vehicles, said vehicles being positioned in different locations;   determining a location on said utility network for at least one vehicle;   determining a capacity of said utility network for charging said at least one vehicle;   determining a first time period for charging said at least one vehicle;   determining a second time period for said at least one vehicle, wherein said second time period is during said first time period; and,   charging said at least one vehicle during said second time period.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said capacity includes an electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 determining an electrical power availability that may be delivered to a location associated with said at least one vehicle; and,   scheduling said second time period of said at least one vehicle to charge said at least one vehicle without exceeding said electrical power delivery parameter.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising scheduling said second time period of said at least one vehicle being charged without exceeding said electrical power availability. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 determining a first demand level for base electrical of said utility network; and,   determining a second demand level for said vehicles on said utility network.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising deactivating charging of one or more vehicles when said first demand level and said second demand level exceeds a threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said threshold is said electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said threshold is said electrical power availability. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said location associated with said at least one vehicle is on a sub-network of said utility network. 
     
     
         16 . The method for charging a plurality of vehicles comprising:
 determining a number of vehicles electrically coupled to a utility network for charging batteries, said utility network including a plurality of sub-networks;   determining a capacity of each of said plurality of sub-networks for charging said vehicles coupled to said plurality of sub-networks;   determining a first time period for charging said vehicles;   determining a second time period for each of said vehicles, wherein said second time period is during said first time period; and,   charging each of said vehicles during said second time period.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said capacity includes an electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 determining an electrical power availability that may be delivered to one of said plurality of sub-network; and,   scheduling said second time period of said vehicles coupled to said one of said plurality of sub-networks to charge said vehicles without exceeding said electrical power delivery parameter for said one of said plurality of sub-networks.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising scheduling said second time period of said vehicles coupled to said first sub-network to charge said vehicles without exceeding said electrical power availability. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 determining a first demand level for base electrical of said utility network;   determining a second demand level for said vehicles on said utility network; and,   deactivating charging of said vehicles when said first demand level and said second demand level exceeds a threshold.