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 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for charging a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
 determining a number of hybrid vehicles electrically coupled to a utility network that is connected to a local distribution network, the vehicles being positioned in different locations on the utility network;   determining a location on the local distribution network for charging a hybrid vehicle;   determining a capacity of the utility network for charging the vehicle;   determining a first time period for charging the vehicle;   determining a second time period for charging the vehicle, wherein the second time period is during the first time period; and   charging the vehicle during the second time period.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the capacity includes an electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 determining an electrical power availability that may be delivered to the location associated with the vehicle; and   scheduling the second time period for the vehicle to charge without exceeding the electrical power delivery parameter.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising scheduling the second time period of the vehicle without exceeding the electrical power availability. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 determining a first demand level for base electrical capacity of the utility network; and   determining a second demand level for the vehicles on the utility network.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising deactivating charging of the vehicles when the first demand level and the second demand level exceed a threshold. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the threshold is the electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         28 . The method of claim  2 \ 6 , wherein the threshold is the electrical power availability. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the location associated with the vehicle is on the local distribution network. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the location associated with the vehicle is on a sub-network of the utility network. 
     
     
         31 . A method for charging hybrid vehicles, comprising:
 determining a number of hybrid vehicles electrically coupled to a utility network, the utility network containing multiple sub-networks;   determining a number of hybrid vehicles electrically coupled to each of the sub-networks;   determining a capacity of each of the sub-networks for charging the vehicles coupled thereto;   determining a first time period for charging the vehicles;   determining a second time period for each of the vehicles, wherein the second time period is during the first time period; and   charging each of the vehicles during the second time period.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the capacity includes an electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 determining an electrical power availability that may be delivered to one of the sub-networks; and   scheduling the second time period to charge the vehicles connected to that sub-network without exceeding the electrical power delivery parameter of that sub-network.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising scheduling the second time period to charge the vehicles connected to that sub-network without exceeding the electrical power availability of that sub-network. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 determining a first demand level for base electrical capacity of the utility network; and   determining a second demand level for the multiple vehicles on the utility network.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising deactivating charging of the vehicles when the first demand level and the second demand level exceed a threshold. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the threshold is the electrical power delivery parameter. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the threshold is the electrical power availability. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the threshold is set at about 70 to about 80% of the maximum power delivery capacity of the utility network. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising determining the state of the charge of batteries located in the hybrid vehicles. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the second time period is determined based on a charge state of the batteries.