WO2013121166A2 - Solar pv system for vehicles - Google Patents

Solar pv system for vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013121166A2
WO2013121166A2 PCT/GB2013/000058 GB2013000058W WO2013121166A2 WO 2013121166 A2 WO2013121166 A2 WO 2013121166A2 GB 2013000058 W GB2013000058 W GB 2013000058W WO 2013121166 A2 WO2013121166 A2 WO 2013121166A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
power
onboard
external
grid
destination
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2013/000058
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013121166A3 (en
Inventor
Richard Hodgson
Original Assignee
Richard Hodgson
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Richard Hodgson filed Critical Richard Hodgson
Publication of WO2013121166A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013121166A2/en
Publication of WO2013121166A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013121166A3/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L8/00—Electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind
    • B60L8/003—Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/006—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to power outlets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/10—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles characterised by the energy transfer between the charging station and the vehicle
    • B60L53/14—Conductive energy transfer
    • B60L53/18—Cables specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
    • B60L53/35—Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
    • B60L53/66—Data transfer between charging stations and vehicles
    • B60L53/665—Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
    • B60L53/68—Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/80—Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L55/00—Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/341—Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
    • G06Q20/3415—Cards acting autonomously as pay-media
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F15/00—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity
    • G07F15/003—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity for electricity
    • G07F15/005—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity for electricity dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/008—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/28—Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
    • H02J3/32—Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy using batteries with converting means
    • H02J3/322—Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy using batteries with converting means the battery being on-board an electric or hybrid vehicle, e.g. vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G], power aggregation, use of the battery for network load balancing, coordinated or cooperative battery charging
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
    • H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
    • H02J7/35—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/003—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/18—Buses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L2200/00—Type of vehicles
    • B60L2200/26—Rail vehicles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
    • H02J2300/20—The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
    • H02J2300/22—The renewable source being solar energy
    • H02J2300/24—The renewable source being solar energy of photovoltaic origin
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2310/00—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2310/40—The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle
    • H02J2310/48—The network being an on-board power network, i.e. within a vehicle for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/56—Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
    • Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
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    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/167—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S10/00—Systems supporting electrical power generation, transmission or distribution
    • Y04S10/12—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation
    • Y04S10/126—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S30/00—Systems supporting specific end-user applications in the sector of transportation
    • Y04S30/10—Systems supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles
    • Y04S30/14—Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a solar photovoltaic system which is mounted wholly onboard a vehicle or other moveable object and has a means by which it can be connected to an external power grid.
  • Photovoltaic power from the sun is a source of clean energy which can help reduce our dependence on power from fossil fuels and so reduce carbon emissions.
  • the sun is not a continuous power source. Power is produced during daylight hours only, and, unless it can be stored, is not available to meet demand for power during the hours of darkness.
  • the amount of area required to produce power is large in comparison to other sources of power.
  • Photovoltaic panels could be sited on vehicles and moveable objects such as freight containers and power could be stored onboard in power storage facilities such as batteries. This would make many more sites available for the production and storage of solar PV power.
  • the present invention proposes a solar PV system which is wholly mounted onboard a vehicle or moveable object and which is capable of being connected to an external power grid so that any power generated or stored by the onboard solar PV system can be transferred to the power grid for processing and making available commercially.
  • the invention comprises:
  • a solar photovoltaic system to be contained wholly onboard a vehicle or other moving object or on a combination of both, (the onboard PV system)
  • the onboard PV system has at least one solar photovoltaic panel or solar PV power generating device of any kind whatsoever (the solar array)
  • the onboard PV system has at least one power storage battery or other power storage facility of any kind whatsoever, to enable onboard storage of power generated by the system.
  • the onboard PV system has at least one power outlet socket or power outlet of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of transferring power from the system when connected to any external power grid or external power destination of any kind.
  • the onboard PV system has at least one power outlet socket or power outlet of any kind whatsoever which can be used to power any equipment onboard the vehicle or moveable object .
  • the onboard PV system has all necessary cabling to connect
  • the system will have a system controller which will carry out all the control functions required in each embodiment of the system.
  • a system controller which will carry out all the control functions required in each embodiment of the system.
  • These could include, but not exclusively : controlled charging and discharging of the power storage facility; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an external power grid or other destination; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an onboard power destination such as the vehicle's normal engine battery or air conditioning; permitting interaction between the onboard system and an external power grid or other power destination to which the inventive system is connected; measuring, monitoring and display of the system
  • the system controller will include a timer or timing device, to enable power to be kept stored in the onboard facility and discharged to an external destination to which it is connected only during preset hours.
  • the onboard PV system will have equipment [for example, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter] to enable the voltage or current or other characteristics of the power produced or stored to be processed or altered in any way to suit its export to an associated power grid or other external destination.
  • equipment for example, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter
  • the inventive system there is a means of rapidly and easily removing and replacing the onboard storage battery or other power storage facility or device so that a full battery or storage device can be quickly removed and replaced with a discharged one with the advantages that the vehicle can continue on the move storing its power in the replacement battery; that the charged removed battery can be discharged at leisure externally or added to an external battery bank; that a vehicle fitted with a large solar array need only carry one storage battery rather than numerous heavy storage batteries to store the power produced during the day; that a vehicle need not sit for long periods connected to an external power grid while power from a full onboard storage battery or device is transferred to the external grid or other destination.
  • components comprising the system can be split or shared between parts of a vehicle or moveable object by reason that some of the components are housed aboard one part and other components are housed aboard the other part or parts.
  • the control systems, power storage batteries or facility and one or more power outlets could be housed onboard the lorry or locomotive, but the solar panel arrays together with one or more power outlets can be housed on a trailer or a freight container or containers carried occasionally as freight, each part having sockets or plugs to connect the diverse parts together as necessary so that when a trailer or freight container or containers are being transported, the two are connected and a complete system is comprised.
  • the parts, when separated, may or may not be able to operate as a complete inventive system independently of each other.
  • the system will contain all necessary safety features commonly known in the art.
  • the system will have means of measuring and displaying the amount of power stored by the onboard power storage battery or facility and being discharged from it.
  • the system will have means of measuring and displaying the amount of power being generated by the solar panel array at any time and of monitoring its performance.
  • the system controller will have control equipment to enable the voltage or current or other characteristics of the power produced or stored to be altered in any way to suit its export to an external destination, for example, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter.
  • the system when it has both a solar array and a power storage facility has smart control gear and a suitable arrangement of power outlets to enable export of power from the solar array only, or from the onboard power storage facility only, or from both simultaneously.
  • the system will contain equipment to ensure power can be discharged from the storage facility at different rates and in a controlled manner and to prevent over-discharge of power from the storage facility.
  • the system controls can enable the inventive system to recognise an external power grid to which it is connected, to ascertain if the system is compatible with the external grid, and if so, to permit the system to respond to instructions or information relayed to it by the external power grid or to permit it to be controlled by the external power grid.
  • the mode of interaction can be by a wireless means of communication or by means of any other kind.
  • some embodiments of the system will have a smartcard or other means to enable the PV system to be logged on and connected to an external power grid and logged off and disconnected and to which the value of any power transferred to the grid during the period of connection, can be placed to the credit of the smart card for the benefit of its owner or user.
  • there will be more than one power outlet one or more being for the export of power exclusively from the solar array, one or more exclusively for the export of power from the power storage facility , and one or more for the export of power from both the solar array and power storage together.
  • vehicles fitted with the inventive system will have an power outlet fitted underneath the vehicle which is capable of being manoeuvred to make contact with the power terminal of an external power destination fitted in the road or ground below the vehicle, so that when parked over the ground terminal, the vehicle system can make connection enabling power to be transferred from the onboard system to the ground terminal and thus to the external destination.
  • the connection can be made automatically using a guidance system so eliminating the need for the vehicle driver to leave his cab and eliminating the need for a connecting cable to be manually connected. This could be applicable to vehicles such as, for example, buses or trains.
  • vehicles fitted with the inventive system will have a power outlet on their roof or elsewhere designed to engage to an overhead gantry or other connection to enable power to be transferred automatically.
  • the power storage facility can be disabled, isolated or removed, so that the system can run independently of the power storage facility using the solar array and an output socket only.
  • onboard solar panels or arrays will contain unique communication
  • devices such as smart chips to enable their identification and monitoring of their performance etc.
  • the onboard power outlet can be connected to an external destination for the export of power by means of a flexible cable fitted with a suitable connector on at least one end.
  • connection of the system to an external destination can be made by means of an power output socket fitted to an extendable and retractable cable wound on a cable reel housed in a suitable onboard housing.
  • inventive system can be incorporated in a vehicle or moveable object as part of, or during, their manufacturing process.
  • the inventive system is inexpensive and easy to fit compared to traditional roof- sited solar installations.
  • photovoltaic power for example cars, taxis, delivery vans, buses, freight lorries, railway trains, lorry trailers, freight containers etc.
  • cars taxis, delivery vans, buses, freight lorries, railway trains, lorry trailers, freight containers etc.
  • freight containers etc.
  • the UK over 2 million new vehicles are sold every year. Each a potential site.
  • the system could be retrofitted to existing vehicles or moveable objects, or , incorporated in their manufacture.
  • Vehicles which are on the move all day such as taxis, buses and trains, could store all the power they produce during the daytime when they are on the move, and discharge the power into an associated grid at stopping places or at night, so evening out the supply of power from solar energy and helping to provide power to the grid at night time. This would help overcome a drawback of conventional solar power systems, which only provide power during daylight hours.
  • a facility for rapid removal and replacement of power storage batteries means the size and weight of onboard batteries can be kept to a minimum. Removed batteries or storage devices could be placed in a large battery bank and power transferred to a grid when there is a peak demand for it.
  • Power grids would have a means of regulating the amount of power supplied to the grid by paying a premium price for power transferred to the grid at peak demand times or by having interactive control of vehicles fitted with a PV system and connected to the grid so that they can draw off power stored on the vehicle batteries as and when required.
  • Figure 1 shows the layout of the system components in one embodiment of the inventive system applied to a car.
  • Figure 2 shows the side view of a car fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as in figure 1, and showing the system attached to an external power grid.
  • Figure 3a, 3b and 3c show a lorry fitted with another embodiment of the system and showing the system connected to an external power grid and illustrating a particular arrangement of power switching.
  • Figure 4a shows the layout of the system components in an embodiment of the inventive system suited to a vehicle such as a bus or large lorry with various means of attachment to an external power grid.
  • Figure 4b shows a bus fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as set out in figure 4a , and showing the system connections to an external power grid.
  • Figure 5a shows a freight container fitted with another embodiment of the inventive system, and showing it connected to an external power grid.
  • Figure 5b shows the side view of an embodiment of the inventive system fitted to a flat bed lorry loaded with a freight container which is also fitted with an embodiment of the inventive system.
  • the lorry is shown in a parked position with the onboard inventive system connected to an external power grid.
  • Figure 6 shows a railway locomotive and carriages fitted with an embodiment of the inventive system.
  • Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive system which can be mounted onboard a car.
  • a solar photovoltaic array 1 is connected to a system controller 2.
  • a power storage facility 3, which in this embodiment is a storage battery, and power outlet sockets 4 and 4a are also connected to the system controller 2 by means of the system cabling 5.
  • the system has a dashboard display 7 connected to the system controller, a remote control device 10 and a smartcard facility 27 for its owner or operator. For clarity, switching and safety features common to the art are not shown.
  • the solar array 1 generates photovoltaic power.
  • the system controller 2 controls the charging of the battery 3 and enables power to be drawn off the solar array 1 , or from the battery 3 or from both simultaneously via the power outlet socket 4 when it is connected to any external power destination.
  • the power outlet 4a is used to provide power if desired to any internal equipment on the vehicle.
  • the system controller 2 enables other functions such as measuring the state of charge of the battery 3, measuring power being generated by the solar array 1, controlling the times when stored power from the battery 3 can be drawn off via the outlet socket 4, controlling and measuring rate of discharge from the battery 3, enabling remote access and control of the system by an external device 10, enabling interaction with an smart external power grid etc.
  • the dashboard display unit 7 displays system details and performance.
  • the system has a smartcard 27 to enable it to be logged on and connected to any suitable external power grid or destination and to enable the value of any power it transfers to be credited to the user or owner of the system.
  • the solar array 1 In operation, in suitable light conditions, the solar array 1 generates PV power which is stored in the onboard storage battery or facility 3. Any excess power not stored in the battery is fed via power outlet 4a to help power any equipment on the vehicle such as air conditioning, heating or charging the normal engine battery. When the storage battery 3 is nearly or fully charged, this is indicated on the display panel 7 to alert the vehicle owner that the battery needs to be connected to a suitable external grid via power outlet 4 so that the power stored onboard can be transferred to an external destination.
  • the smartcard 27 By using the smartcard 27 to log on to a suitable external grid upon connection, and to log out upon disconnection, the value of power transferred to the external grid during the period of connection can be credited to the owner of the system.
  • FIG. 2 shows a car 6 fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as described in Figure 1.
  • the car is parked and power outlet socket 4 is shown connected by a flexible connection lead 8 to a power input socket 9 which is part of an external power grid 1 .
  • the external grid also has a smartcard reader 15d fitted in the post 1 1 housing its power inlet socket 9.
  • the car owner connects the power outlet 4 of the onboard PV system to the power inlet 9 of a suitable external power grid 14 by means of connection cable 8. He logs into the power grid system 14 by presenting his smartcard 27 to the grid reader 15d. This activates the connection and power can flow from the onboard PV system to the external grid 14. The car owner disconnects from the grid system 14 using his smartcard and the value of any power transferred to the grid during the connection time is credited to the smartcard. By this means the system owner can get payment for any PV power he supplies to the power grid 14.
  • the onboard system controller 2 can set the transfer of power in a variety of ways, for example - any power generated by the PV array 1 during connection can be transferred immediately to the external grid; or can be used to charge the onboard battery 3 and then can be transferred to the grid 14 at times preset by the PV system; or the stored power can be transferred only when a call for power is made by the external power grid 14.
  • the settings can depend on the circumstances. For example, if a car was parked mainly at home, and the storage battery became fully charged every few days, then the car could occasionally be connected to a grid and the battery fully discharged.
  • a car was parked and connected to a grid for longer periods, say for several days or weeks at an airport long stay car park, its solar array could be set to charge its batteries, and to transfer any excess power to the grid.
  • the grid could make a call for the stored power to be transferred at times of peak power demand on the grid.
  • Figures 3a, b and c show a lorry 29 equipped with an embodiment of the inventive system and illustrating a distinctive power switching arrangement.
  • the system components shown are a solar PV array 1, a power storage battery 3, a switch 19a, and two power outlets 4a and 4b.
  • the charge controller and other system components such as safety devices and system controller are not shown.
  • the solar PV array 1 is permanently connected to power outlet 4a.
  • the power storage battery 3 is connected to power outlet 4a via a switch 19a which, when in the open position, disconnects the battery 3 from the power outlet 4a.
  • the power storage battery 3 is permanently connected to power outlet 4b.
  • the lorry is shown parked with its onboard inventive PV system connected to power inlets 9a and 9b of an external grid 14 which are sited in a weatherised housing 11 which is in the form of an upright kerbside post- Power outlet 4a is shown connected via connection lead 8a to power inlet 9a of the external power grid 14.
  • Power outlet 4b is shown connected by means of connection lead 8b to power inlet 9b of the external power grid 14.
  • the grid power inlet 9a is permanently connected to the power grid 14.
  • the grid power inlet 9b is connected to the power grid 14 via a switch 19b which, when in the open position disconnects inlet 9b from the grid.
  • switch 19a and switch 19b are both in the open position. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
  • switch 19a is closed, and switch 19b remains open. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1, and any power stored in the battery 3, is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
  • switch 19a is open, and switch 19b is closed. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
  • Any power stored in the storage battery 3 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8b connecting power outlet 4b to grid power inlet 9b.
  • Switch 19a is controlled by the system controller and switch 19b is controlled by the external power grid controls. This arrangement means that the operator of the vehicle PV system can control the transfer of power to the external grid 1 by means of opening or closing switch 19a, which can be on a time control.
  • the external power grid 14 can transfer power from any storage batteries connected to it by closing switch 19b. This enables the grid to call on power when required, for example, at times of increased power demand by customers of the grid.
  • Figure 4a shows one embodiment of the inventive system having a large solar array which can be situated onboard a vehicle such as a bus or lorry etc.
  • a solar photovoltaic array 1 is shown connected to a system controller 2.
  • a power storage facility 3a which in this embodiment is a bank of storage batteries equipped with a facility for quick removal and replacement of charged batteries with uncharged batteries, and three power outlets 4, 4a and 4b are also connected to the system controller 2 by means of the system cabling.
  • the system has a display and control panel 7 by means of which the vehicle operator can monitor and control the system.
  • the power outlet 4 is designed for connection to an power inlet socket 9 of an external power grid 14 by means of a connection cable 8. This enables power from both the solar array 1 and the power storage batteries 3a to be transferred to an external power grid 14.
  • the power outlet 4a is in the form of a manoeuvrable power outlet fitted to the underside of the vehicle and which can be operated from the vehicle cab to make contact with a corresponding power inlet connection 9a of an external power grid 14 built into the road surface at a convenient parking place, such as a bus stand. This is designed so that power can be transferred from the system automatically without need for the vehicle driver to leave his cab to hook up connection leads.
  • An alternative position for such a power outlet would be the roof of the vehicle, where power could be transferred to an overhead gantry connected to an external power grid again at a suitable parking place.
  • the power outlet 4b is designed as a connection to any internal vehicle equipment, for example heating or air conditioning equipment so that any surplus power from the system can be utilised to help power such internal equipment and not be wasted.
  • any internal vehicle equipment for example heating or air conditioning equipment
  • a larger vehicle will have a large solar array 1 and it is desirable that the size and number of onboard batteries 3 a will be kept to a minimum due to excess battery weight having a detrimental effect on vehicle fuel consumption and limitations of storage space. Because of these two factors, the solar array 1 is likely to produce more power than needed to charge the onboard batteries 3a. This is not a problem when the vehicle is parked and connected to an external grid 14, as power from the solar array can be fed directly into the external grid. It is a problem for vehicles constantly on the move, or otherwise unable to connect for long periods to an external grid.
  • one solution is to change full batteries 3a with empty batteries during the course of a journey, for example at vehicle parks or depots.
  • the design for quick battery change 3a caters for this.
  • Another solution is to discharge the power stored in the onboard batteries 3 a into power connections 9a of an external power grid 1 placed in the road surface at temporary stops such as a bus stand or stop during a journey.
  • the design for the power outlet 4a situated underneath the vehicle caters for this.
  • a third solution is to use the excess power, produced while the vehicle is on the move or otherwise unconnected to an external power grid, to help power internal equipment such as heating or air conditioning on the vehicle or the vehicle engine battery.
  • the power outlet 4b is designed to permit connection to such internal equipment.
  • Figure shows a bus equipped with the same embodiment of the system as described in figure 4a. The operation of the system is as described for figure 4a.
  • Figure 5a shows a freight container 23 fitted with one embodiment of the inventive system.
  • a solar photovoltaic array 1 is shown connected to two power outlets 4 by means of the system cabling 5.
  • One of the power outlets 4 is shown connected to a power inlet 9 of an external power grid 1 by means of a temporary connection cable 8.
  • the power inlet 9 is sited in a weatherised housing 1 1 which is in the form of an upright kerbside post.
  • the solar array 1 In operation, the solar array 1 , generates photovoltaic power.
  • one or other of the system power outlets 4 is connected to a power inlet 9 of an external power grid 14, power is transferred from the system solar array 1 to the external power grid 14.
  • Figure 5b shows a flat bed lorry 29 fitted with a power inlet socket 9a, a system controller 2, a power storage battery 3, and a power outlet 4b.
  • the lorry is loaded with a freight container 23 fitted with the same embodiment of the system as described in figure 5a.
  • a solar photovoltaic array 1 on the container 23, is shown connected to two power outlets 4 by means of the system cabling 5.
  • connection cable 8a One of the power outlets 4 on the freight container 23, is connected to the power inlet 9a on the flat bed lorry 29 by means of a connection cable 8a. While the lorry is parked, the power outlet 4b on the lorry is connected to a power inlet 9b on an external power grid 14 by means of connection cable 8b..
  • the solar array 1 When unconnected to any external power grid, the solar array 1 generates photovoltaic power which is transferred by means of the cable 8a connecting the outlet socket 4 on the container 23 to the inlet socket 9a and the system controller 2 on the lorry and charges the power storage batteries 3.
  • connection cable 8b connecting power outlet 4b on the lorry 29 to power inlet 9b on the external power grid 14 power can be transferred from the solar array 1 and the power storage batteries 3 to the external power grid 14.
  • Figure 6 shows a railway locomotive 25 and two carriages 30 situated on a rail-track 31.
  • the locomotive 25 is fitted with a solar photovoltaic array 1, connection cabling 5, a system controller 2, power storage facility 3 and a power outlet 4c.
  • Each carriage 30 is fitted with a solar photovoltaic array 1 and connection cabling 5.
  • the rail-track 31 is fitted with power inlets 9 connected to an external power grid 14 situated at suitable locations such as railway stations or sidings.
  • the solar arrays on the carriages 30 and the locomotive25 are connected together by means of connection leads 8.
  • the combined power generated by the solar arrays 1 is fed to the system controller 2 and is stored in the power storage facility 3. Any excess power generated is used to help power equipment onboard the train, such as heating, air conditioning etc.

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Abstract

A solar PV system contained wholly onboard a vehicle or other moveable object consisting of at least one solar photovoltaic panel 1 to enable photovoltaic power to be generated onboard and power outlet socket 4 to enable connection of the onboard inventive system to an external destination such as a power grid 14 so that the power being produced by the onboard system can be transferred or exported to that external destination and be used commercially.

Description

Title Solar PV system for vehicles
This invention relates to a solar photovoltaic system which is mounted wholly onboard a vehicle or other moveable object and has a means by which it can be connected to an external power grid.
Photovoltaic power from the sun is a source of clean energy which can help reduce our dependence on power from fossil fuels and so reduce carbon emissions.
However solar photovoltaic systems have disadvantages:
The sun is not a continuous power source. Power is produced during daylight hours only, and, unless it can be stored, is not available to meet demand for power during the hours of darkness.
The amount of area required to produce power is large in comparison to other sources of power.
Traditionally solar panels are placed on the roofs of buildings, but installation costs are high and the number of suitable roofs is limited.
Photovoltaic panels could be sited on vehicles and moveable objects such as freight containers and power could be stored onboard in power storage facilities such as batteries. This would make many more sites available for the production and storage of solar PV power.
This would be of little practical use unless there was a means by which the PV power produced and stored on so many individual vehicles and moveable objects could be harnessed and made available for use in commercial quantities.
To solve this problem the present invention proposes a solar PV system which is wholly mounted onboard a vehicle or moveable object and which is capable of being connected to an external power grid so that any power generated or stored by the onboard solar PV system can be transferred to the power grid for processing and making available commercially. The invention comprises:
1. A solar photovoltaic system to be contained wholly onboard a vehicle or other moving object or on a combination of both, (the onboard PV system)
2. Preferably the onboard PV system has at least one solar photovoltaic panel or solar PV power generating device of any kind whatsoever (the solar array)
3. Preferably the onboard PV system has at least one power storage battery or other power storage facility of any kind whatsoever, to enable onboard storage of power generated by the system.
4. Preferably the onboard PV system has at least one power outlet socket or power outlet of any kind whatsoever for the purpose of transferring power from the system when connected to any external power grid or external power destination of any kind.
5. Preferably the onboard PV system has at least one power outlet socket or power outlet of any kind whatsoever which can be used to power any equipment onboard the vehicle or moveable object .
Preferably the onboard PV system has all necessary cabling to connect
components of the system together.
Preferably the system will have a system controller which will carry out all the control functions required in each embodiment of the system. These could include, but not exclusively : controlled charging and discharging of the power storage facility; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an external power grid or other destination; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an onboard power destination such as the vehicle's normal engine battery or air conditioning; permitting interaction between the onboard system and an external power grid or other power destination to which the inventive system is connected; measuring, monitoring and display of the system
performance; permitting the system to be monitored and controlled from a remote location such as a smart phone or internet;
Preferably the system controller will include a timer or timing device, to enable power to be kept stored in the onboard facility and discharged to an external destination to which it is connected only during preset hours.
Preferably the onboard PV system will have equipment [for example, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter] to enable the voltage or current or other characteristics of the power produced or stored to be processed or altered in any way to suit its export to an associated power grid or other external destination. Preferably in some embodiments of the inventive system there is a means of rapidly and easily removing and replacing the onboard storage battery or other power storage facility or device so that a full battery or storage device can be quickly removed and replaced with a discharged one with the advantages that the vehicle can continue on the move storing its power in the replacement battery; that the charged removed battery can be discharged at leisure externally or added to an external battery bank; that a vehicle fitted with a large solar array need only carry one storage battery rather than numerous heavy storage batteries to store the power produced during the day; that a vehicle need not sit for long periods connected to an external power grid while power from a full onboard storage battery or device is transferred to the external grid or other destination.
Preferably in some embodiments of the inventive system, the different
components comprising the system can be split or shared between parts of a vehicle or moveable object by reason that some of the components are housed aboard one part and other components are housed aboard the other part or parts. For example, in a flat bed or articulated lorry, or railway locomotive, the control systems, power storage batteries or facility and one or more power outlets could be housed onboard the lorry or locomotive, but the solar panel arrays together with one or more power outlets can be housed on a trailer or a freight container or containers carried occasionally as freight, each part having sockets or plugs to connect the diverse parts together as necessary so that when a trailer or freight container or containers are being transported, the two are connected and a complete system is comprised. The parts, when separated, may or may not be able to operate as a complete inventive system independently of each other.
Preferably the system will contain all necessary safety features commonly known in the art.
Preferably the system will have means of measuring and displaying the amount of power stored by the onboard power storage battery or facility and being discharged from it.
Preferably the system will have means of measuring and displaying the amount of power being generated by the solar panel array at any time and of monitoring its performance.
Preferably the system controller will have control equipment to enable the voltage or current or other characteristics of the power produced or stored to be altered in any way to suit its export to an external destination, for example, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter.
Preferably the system, when it has both a solar array and a power storage facility has smart control gear and a suitable arrangement of power outlets to enable export of power from the solar array only, or from the onboard power storage facility only, or from both simultaneously.
Preferably the system will contain equipment to ensure power can be discharged from the storage facility at different rates and in a controlled manner and to prevent over-discharge of power from the storage facility.
Preferably in some embodiments the system controls can enable the inventive system to recognise an external power grid to which it is connected, to ascertain if the system is compatible with the external grid, and if so, to permit the system to respond to instructions or information relayed to it by the external power grid or to permit it to be controlled by the external power grid. The mode of interaction can be by a wireless means of communication or by means of any other kind. Preferably some embodiments of the system will have a smartcard or other means to enable the PV system to be logged on and connected to an external power grid and logged off and disconnected and to which the value of any power transferred to the grid during the period of connection, can be placed to the credit of the smart card for the benefit of its owner or user.
Preferably in some embodiments of the inventive system there will be more than one power outlet, one or more being for the export of power exclusively from the solar array, one or more exclusively for the export of power from the power storage facility , and one or more for the export of power from both the solar array and power storage together.
Preferably in some embodiments, vehicles fitted with the inventive system will have an power outlet fitted underneath the vehicle which is capable of being manoeuvred to make contact with the power terminal of an external power destination fitted in the road or ground below the vehicle, so that when parked over the ground terminal, the vehicle system can make connection enabling power to be transferred from the onboard system to the ground terminal and thus to the external destination. Preferably the connection can be made automatically using a guidance system so eliminating the need for the vehicle driver to leave his cab and eliminating the need for a connecting cable to be manually connected. This could be applicable to vehicles such as, for example, buses or trains.
22. Preferably, in some embodiments, vehicles fitted with the inventive system will have a power outlet on their roof or elsewhere designed to engage to an overhead gantry or other connection to enable power to be transferred automatically.
23. Preferably in systems containing both a solar array and power storage, the power storage facility can be disabled, isolated or removed, so that the system can run independently of the power storage facility using the solar array and an output socket only.
24. Preferably onboard solar panels or arrays will contain unique communication
devices such as smart chips to enable their identification and monitoring of their performance etc.
25. Preferably in some embodiments the onboard power outlet can be connected to an external destination for the export of power by means of a flexible cable fitted with a suitable connector on at least one end.
26. Preferably in some embodiments of the system the connection of the system to an external destination can be made by means of an power output socket fitted to an extendable and retractable cable wound on a cable reel housed in a suitable onboard housing.
27. Preferably some embodiments of the system can be retrospectively fitted to
existing vehicles or moveable objects or be available in a kit form for this purpose.
28. Preferably some embodiments of the inventive system can be incorporated in a vehicle or moveable object as part of, or during, their manufacturing process.
Advantages.
• The inventive system is inexpensive and easy to fit compared to traditional roof- sited solar installations.
• Many more sites become available for the generation and storage of solar
photovoltaic power, for example cars, taxis, delivery vans, buses, freight lorries, railway trains, lorry trailers, freight containers etc. In the UK over 2 million new vehicles are sold every year. Each a potential site.
• The system could be retrofitted to existing vehicles or moveable objects, or , incorporated in their manufacture.
• Vehicles which are on the move all day, such as taxis, buses and trains, could store all the power they produce during the daytime when they are on the move, and discharge the power into an associated grid at stopping places or at night, so evening out the supply of power from solar energy and helping to provide power to the grid at night time. This would help overcome a drawback of conventional solar power systems, which only provide power during daylight hours.
• A facility for rapid removal and replacement of power storage batteries means the size and weight of onboard batteries can be kept to a minimum. Removed batteries or storage devices could be placed in a large battery bank and power transferred to a grid when there is a peak demand for it.
• As the vehicles and the related power grid systems would be mainly in urban areas this new source of clean, renewable energy power would be available where the power would be most in demand and the need for costly long distance grid transmission lines would be reduced.
• Power grids would have a means of regulating the amount of power supplied to the grid by paying a premium price for power transferred to the grid at peak demand times or by having interactive control of vehicles fitted with a PV system and connected to the grid so that they can draw off power stored on the vehicle batteries as and when required.
• Encouragement for vehicle owners to participate in such a scheme could include:
1. renewable energy grants
2. carbon trading offset grants
3. cheaper road tax
4. cheaper road tolls or congestion charge fees.
5. preferential parking terms.
6. exclusive parking spaces fitted with a grid connection.
7. vehicle owners could be paid for the power they transfer to the grid, for
example by means of a smart card..
8. Provides a practical way for vehicle owners to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Drawings
The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows the layout of the system components in one embodiment of the inventive system applied to a car.
Figure 2 shows the side view of a car fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as in figure 1, and showing the system attached to an external power grid.
Figure 3a, 3b and 3c show a lorry fitted with another embodiment of the system and showing the system connected to an external power grid and illustrating a particular arrangement of power switching.
Figure 4a shows the layout of the system components in an embodiment of the inventive system suited to a vehicle such as a bus or large lorry with various means of attachment to an external power grid..
Figure 4b shows a bus fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as set out in figure 4a , and showing the system connections to an external power grid. Figure 5a shows a freight container fitted with another embodiment of the inventive system, and showing it connected to an external power grid.
Figure 5b shows the side view of an embodiment of the inventive system fitted to a flat bed lorry loaded with a freight container which is also fitted with an embodiment of the inventive system.. The lorry is shown in a parked position with the onboard inventive system connected to an external power grid.
Figure 6 shows a railway locomotive and carriages fitted with an embodiment of the inventive system.
Detailed description of the Drawings.
Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive system which can be mounted onboard a car.
A solar photovoltaic array 1 is connected to a system controller 2. A power storage facility 3, which in this embodiment is a storage battery, and power outlet sockets 4 and 4a are also connected to the system controller 2 by means of the system cabling 5. The system has a dashboard display 7 connected to the system controller, a remote control device 10 and a smartcard facility 27 for its owner or operator. For clarity, switching and safety features common to the art are not shown.
The solar array 1 generates photovoltaic power. The system controller 2, controls the charging of the battery 3 and enables power to be drawn off the solar array 1 , or from the battery 3 or from both simultaneously via the power outlet socket 4 when it is connected to any external power destination.. The power outlet 4a is used to provide power if desired to any internal equipment on the vehicle. In addition the system controller 2 enables other functions such as measuring the state of charge of the battery 3, measuring power being generated by the solar array 1, controlling the times when stored power from the battery 3 can be drawn off via the outlet socket 4, controlling and measuring rate of discharge from the battery 3, enabling remote access and control of the system by an external device 10, enabling interaction with an smart external power grid etc. The dashboard display unit 7 displays system details and performance. The system has a smartcard 27 to enable it to be logged on and connected to any suitable external power grid or destination and to enable the value of any power it transfers to be credited to the user or owner of the system.
In operation, in suitable light conditions, the solar array 1 generates PV power which is stored in the onboard storage battery or facility 3. Any excess power not stored in the battery is fed via power outlet 4a to help power any equipment on the vehicle such as air conditioning, heating or charging the normal engine battery. When the storage battery 3 is nearly or fully charged, this is indicated on the display panel 7 to alert the vehicle owner that the battery needs to be connected to a suitable external grid via power outlet 4 so that the power stored onboard can be transferred to an external destination. By using the smartcard 27 to log on to a suitable external grid upon connection, and to log out upon disconnection, the value of power transferred to the external grid during the period of connection can be credited to the owner of the system.
Figure 2 shows a car 6 fitted with the same embodiment of the inventive system as described in Figure 1.
The car is parked and power outlet socket 4 is shown connected by a flexible connection lead 8 to a power input socket 9 which is part of an external power grid 1 . The external grid also has a smartcard reader 15d fitted in the post 1 1 housing its power inlet socket 9.
In operation, the car owner connects the power outlet 4 of the onboard PV system to the power inlet 9 of a suitable external power grid 14 by means of connection cable 8. He logs into the power grid system 14 by presenting his smartcard 27 to the grid reader 15d. This activates the connection and power can flow from the onboard PV system to the external grid 14. The car owner disconnects from the grid system 14 using his smartcard and the value of any power transferred to the grid during the connection time is credited to the smartcard. By this means the system owner can get payment for any PV power he supplies to the power grid 14.
During connection, the onboard system controller 2 can set the transfer of power in a variety of ways, for example - any power generated by the PV array 1 during connection can be transferred immediately to the external grid; or can be used to charge the onboard battery 3 and then can be transferred to the grid 14 at times preset by the PV system; or the stored power can be transferred only when a call for power is made by the external power grid 14.
The settings can depend on the circumstances. For example, if a car was parked mainly at home, and the storage battery became fully charged every few days, then the car could occasionally be connected to a grid and the battery fully discharged.
If a car was parked and connected to a grid for longer periods, say for several days or weeks at an airport long stay car park, its solar array could be set to charge its batteries, and to transfer any excess power to the grid. The grid could make a call for the stored power to be transferred at times of peak power demand on the grid.
Figures 3a, b and c show a lorry 29 equipped with an embodiment of the inventive system and illustrating a distinctive power switching arrangement.
The system components shown are a solar PV array 1, a power storage battery 3, a switch 19a, and two power outlets 4a and 4b. For clarity, the charge controller and other system components such as safety devices and system controller are not shown.
The solar PV array 1 is permanently connected to power outlet 4a.
The power storage battery 3 is connected to power outlet 4a via a switch 19a which, when in the open position, disconnects the battery 3 from the power outlet 4a.
The power storage battery 3 is permanently connected to power outlet 4b.
The lorry is shown parked with its onboard inventive PV system connected to power inlets 9a and 9b of an external grid 14 which are sited in a weatherised housing 11 which is in the form of an upright kerbside post- Power outlet 4a is shown connected via connection lead 8a to power inlet 9a of the external power grid 14.
Power outlet 4b is shown connected by means of connection lead 8b to power inlet 9b of the external power grid 14.
The grid power inlet 9a is permanently connected to the power grid 14.
The grid power inlet 9b is connected to the power grid 14 via a switch 19b which, when in the open position disconnects inlet 9b from the grid. In Figure 3a, switch 19a and switch 19b are both in the open position. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
No power is transferred from the power storage battery 3.
In figure 3b, switch 19a is closed, and switch 19b remains open. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1, and any power stored in the battery 3, is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
In figure 3c, switch 19a is open, and switch 19b is closed. Any power generated by the solar PV array 1 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8a connecting power outlet 4a to grid power inlet 9a.
Any power stored in the storage battery 3 is transferred to the external grid 14 by means of cable 8b connecting power outlet 4b to grid power inlet 9b.
Switch 19a is controlled by the system controller and switch 19b is controlled by the external power grid controls. This arrangement means that the operator of the vehicle PV system can control the transfer of power to the external grid 1 by means of opening or closing switch 19a, which can be on a time control.
It also means that the external power grid 14 can transfer power from any storage batteries connected to it by closing switch 19b. This enables the grid to call on power when required, for example, at times of increased power demand by customers of the grid.
Figure 4a shows one embodiment of the inventive system having a large solar array which can be situated onboard a vehicle such as a bus or lorry etc.
A solar photovoltaic array 1 is shown connected to a system controller 2. A power storage facility 3a, which in this embodiment is a bank of storage batteries equipped with a facility for quick removal and replacement of charged batteries with uncharged batteries, and three power outlets 4, 4a and 4b are also connected to the system controller 2 by means of the system cabling. The system has a display and control panel 7 by means of which the vehicle operator can monitor and control the system. The power outlet 4 is designed for connection to an power inlet socket 9 of an external power grid 14 by means of a connection cable 8. This enables power from both the solar array 1 and the power storage batteries 3a to be transferred to an external power grid 14. The power outlet 4a is in the form of a manoeuvrable power outlet fitted to the underside of the vehicle and which can be operated from the vehicle cab to make contact with a corresponding power inlet connection 9a of an external power grid 14 built into the road surface at a convenient parking place, such as a bus stand. This is designed so that power can be transferred from the system automatically without need for the vehicle driver to leave his cab to hook up connection leads. An alternative position for such a power outlet would be the roof of the vehicle, where power could be transferred to an overhead gantry connected to an external power grid again at a suitable parking place. The power outlet 4b is designed as a connection to any internal vehicle equipment, for example heating or air conditioning equipment so that any surplus power from the system can be utilised to help power such internal equipment and not be wasted. Typically a larger vehicle will have a large solar array 1 and it is desirable that the size and number of onboard batteries 3 a will be kept to a minimum due to excess battery weight having a detrimental effect on vehicle fuel consumption and limitations of storage space. Because of these two factors, the solar array 1 is likely to produce more power than needed to charge the onboard batteries 3a. This is not a problem when the vehicle is parked and connected to an external grid 14, as power from the solar array can be fed directly into the external grid. It is a problem for vehicles constantly on the move, or otherwise unable to connect for long periods to an external grid. In these situations, one solution is to change full batteries 3a with empty batteries during the course of a journey, for example at vehicle parks or depots. The design for quick battery change 3a caters for this. Another solution is to discharge the power stored in the onboard batteries 3 a into power connections 9a of an external power grid 1 placed in the road surface at temporary stops such as a bus stand or stop during a journey. The design for the power outlet 4a situated underneath the vehicle caters for this. A third solution is to use the excess power, produced while the vehicle is on the move or otherwise unconnected to an external power grid, to help power internal equipment such as heating or air conditioning on the vehicle or the vehicle engine battery. The power outlet 4b is designed to permit connection to such internal equipment.
Figure shows a bus equipped with the same embodiment of the system as described in figure 4a. The operation of the system is as described for figure 4a.
Figure 5a shows a freight container 23 fitted with one embodiment of the inventive system.
A solar photovoltaic array 1 is shown connected to two power outlets 4 by means of the system cabling 5. One of the power outlets 4 is shown connected to a power inlet 9 of an external power grid 1 by means of a temporary connection cable 8. The power inlet 9 is sited in a weatherised housing 1 1 which is in the form of an upright kerbside post.
In operation, the solar array 1 , generates photovoltaic power. When one or other of the system power outlets 4 is connected to a power inlet 9 of an external power grid 14, power is transferred from the system solar array 1 to the external power grid 14.
Figure 5b shows a flat bed lorry 29 fitted with a power inlet socket 9a, a system controller 2, a power storage battery 3, and a power outlet 4b.
The lorry is loaded with a freight container 23 fitted with the same embodiment of the system as described in figure 5a. A solar photovoltaic array 1 on the container 23, is shown connected to two power outlets 4 by means of the system cabling 5.
One of the power outlets 4 on the freight container 23, is connected to the power inlet 9a on the flat bed lorry 29 by means of a connection cable 8a. While the lorry is parked, the power outlet 4b on the lorry is connected to a power inlet 9b on an external power grid 14 by means of connection cable 8b..
In operation, when unconnected to any external power grid, the solar array 1 generates photovoltaic power which is transferred by means of the cable 8a connecting the outlet socket 4 on the container 23 to the inlet socket 9a and the system controller 2 on the lorry and charges the power storage batteries 3. When connected to an external grid 14 by means of connection cable 8b connecting power outlet 4b on the lorry 29 to power inlet 9b on the external power grid 14 power can be transferred from the solar array 1 and the power storage batteries 3 to the external power grid 14.
Figure 6 shows a railway locomotive 25 and two carriages 30 situated on a rail-track 31.
The locomotive 25 is fitted with a solar photovoltaic array 1, connection cabling 5, a system controller 2, power storage facility 3 and a power outlet 4c.
Each carriage 30 is fitted with a solar photovoltaic array 1 and connection cabling 5. The rail-track 31 is fitted with power inlets 9 connected to an external power grid 14 situated at suitable locations such as railway stations or sidings.
In operation, the solar arrays on the carriages 30 and the locomotive25 are connected together by means of connection leads 8. The combined power generated by the solar arrays 1 is fed to the system controller 2 and is stored in the power storage facility 3. Any excess power generated is used to help power equipment onboard the train, such as heating, air conditioning etc.
When the locomotive is stationary above a power inlet 9 located in the rail-track bed, power can be transferred from the solar arrays 1 or the power storage facility 3 to the external power grid 14 when the power outlet 4c on the locomotive makes contact with the power inlet 9 on the track-bed.
This embodiment of the inventive system could also apply to a railway locomotive hauling goods wagons or flat bed wagons loaded with freight containers

Claims

Claims
1. A system, wholly contained onboard a vehicle or moveable object, comprising at least one solar panel joined with cabling to at least one power outlet suitable for connection to external power destinations, such as an external power grid, by means of a removable connection cable or lead or by any other means.
2. A system according to claim 1 having at least one power outlet for connection to onboard power uses.
3. A system according to claims 1 and 2 having a solar charge controller and at least one onboard power storage battery or other form of power storage facility for the purpose of storing power generated by the onboard system.
4. A system according to claims 1 ,2 and 3 having a system controller which will carry out a plurality of functions including, but not exclusively: controlled charging and discharging of the power storage facility; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an external power grid or other destination; controlled transfer of power from the solar photovoltaic array and/or the power storage facility to an onboard power destination such as the vehicle's normal engine battery or air conditioning;
permitting interaction between the onboard system and an external power grid or other power destination to which the inventive system is connected; measuring, monitoring and display of the system performance; permitting the system to be monitored and controlled from a remote location such as a smart phone or internet;
5. A system according to claims 1 , 2, 3 and 4 which has a timer or timing controller, to enable power to be kept stored in the onboard facility and discharged to an external destination to which it is connected only during preset hours
6. A system according to claims 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5 which has controls and equipment to enable the voltage or current or other characteristics of the power produced or stored to be processed or altered in any way to suit its export to an external destination, for example, but not exclusively, a dc/dc transformer or a dc/ac inverter.
7. A system according to any of the preceding claims which has a system controller to enable export of power from the solar array only, or from the onboard power storage facility only, or from both simultaneously.
8. A system according to any of the preceding claims having controls enabling the recognition and identification of an external power grid to which it is connected, and to ascertain if the system is compatible with the external grid, and if so, to permit the system to respond to instructions or information relayed to it by the external power grid or to permit it to be controlled by the external power grid. The mode of interaction being by a wireless means of communication or by means of any other kind.
9. A system according to any of the preceding claims having a plurality of power outlets, one or more being for the export of power exclusively from the solar array, one or more exclusively for the export of power from the power storage facility , and one or more for the export of power from both the solar array and power storage together, with some of the power outlets being capable of being connected to an external power destination manually by means of a connection cable and some bring capable of being connected by automatic means.
10. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which the power storage facility can be disabled, isolated or removed, so that the system can run independently of the power storage facility using the solar array and an export socket only.
1 1. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which there is a means of rapidly and easily removing and replacing the onboard storage battery or other power storage facility device so that a full battery or storage device can be quickly replaced with a discharged one
12. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which the power outlet socket can be connected to an external destination by means of a flexible cable fitted with a suitable push connector on at least one end.
13. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which the connection of the system to an external destination can be made by means of a coiled extendable and retractable connection cable wound on a suitably housed onboard cable reel.
14. A system according to any of the preceding claims part of which is housed on a vehicle and part of which is housed, for example, on a container carried by that vehicle or towed by that vehicle so that, when connected together, they operate as a complete system, but may in some embodiments, be able to operate as a complete inventive system independently of each other and in others, may not.
15. A system, according to any of the preceding claims, which has smartcard facilities or other means of any kind, to enable the system to be logged on and connected to, and subsequently logged off and disconnected from, an external power destination for the purpose of transfer of power to that destination, and to enable the value of any power transferred during the period of connection to be credited to the smartcard as payment thereof.
16. A system according to any of the preceding claims which can be retrospectively fitting to existing vehicles or moveable objects or supplied as a kit for that purpose
17. A system according to any of the preceding claims which can be incorporated as part of the manufacturing process of a vehicle or moveable object.
PCT/GB2013/000058 2012-02-17 2013-02-14 Solar pv system for vehicles WO2013121166A2 (en)

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