Energy pack storage and distribution system

Abstract

An energy storage and distribution system includes at least one rechargeable energy pack and a rail system associated with the energy pack. The rail system has at least one rail that provides power to charge the rechargeable energy pack. A plurality of trays receive a respective one of the rechargeable energy packs and travel on one or more rails of the rail system. In an advantageous form, the rail system has one or two horizontal rails extending parallel to the ground and one or two vertical rails extending perpendicular to the horizontal rails.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy or power source storage system, and more particularly to an energy or power source storage system incorporating a combination of energy storage and distribution systems. Background Art

[0002] The world is constantly evolving in terms of energy sources and the storage of energy for on-demand electricity use. Many devices, including vehicles that were once powered by fossil fuels, are now increasingly being powered by alternative energy sources including electric batteries, fuel cells, and the like.

[0003] Recent developments have included encapsulating energy sources together in discrete storage devices, sometimes collectively referred to as energy packs, energy capsules, or fuel cells. Typically, a device such as a vehicle can carry one or more of these discrete encapsulations on board together to provide both extended power, duration, and range to the device.

[0004] One limitation of current energy packs is that when the energy packs are fuel cells located in a device, they need to replenish the energy source by recharging or refueling the packs disposed in the device. Even the fastest ways to recharge or refuel the energy source are time-consuming.

[0005] The disadvantages of current energy pack technologies such as charging stations or even supercharging (e.g., fast charging) stations are that even fast charging is relatively slow and inefficient.

[0006] A recently developed alternative energy storage technology is the swappable energy pack, where a used energy pack is removed from a device such as a vehicle and a fully charged and refueled replacement energy pack is inserted in its place. This is an example of a system that replaces in-place (e.g., when connected to a vehicle) charging power or cells. The advantage of such a system is that it allows a device (e.g., a vehicle) to be refueled or re-energized very quickly, rather than recharging or refueling a used energy pack in-place in a device such as a vehicle. However, as the demand for alternative fuel devices increases, current swapping technologies have limitations in terms of deployment capabilities, and established design limitations limit their ability to effectively accommodate all future users' needs.

[0007] Another disadvantage of such energy exchange systems is that they only distribute used and replenished energy packs. Therefore, these systems require a large geographical footprint or area for the charging stations. Examples of such charging stations are available from companies such as AMPLE, NIO, and Better Place, whose battery swapping technologies are incorporated herein by reference in the company names. Some of their non-limiting examples are AMPLE (US2016 / 368464, US2016 / 137093, and US 9,315,113), NIO (US10,144,307; US10,160,344; US10,594,154; WO 2018184309A1, CN210212346U, and CN201920548676U), and Better Place (WO2013144948 and WO2013144951), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0008] As the introduction of the electrical revolution in the transportation and mobility industries intensifies, maintaining a healthy on-demand current for all consumers in need presents unique challenges. The increase in electric vehicles (EVs) has placed higher demands on the installation of high-voltage use points for early and current recharge infrastructure, which generates a higher consumption rate than the grid power supply can support. There is a need to increase energy storage alternatives such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) or virtual power plants (VPP). There are many other disadvantages of current systems.

[0009] One disadvantage is that EV wired charging and supercharging terminals are manually connected, requiring physical contact between a person and a high-voltage cable to recharge the vehicle. When connecting the cable, the safety of the components forces the user to brave the components when handling high-voltage plugs that usually pose a safety hazard of electrocution.

[0010] Other devices such as battery pack swapping stations are designed for a single unique configuration or modular-sized battery pack of an EV, which requires OEMs to adapt to other proprietary battery packs and technologies. These stations are equipped with fixed rack storage arrangements for recharging and maintenance. Multiple tracked robots perform movements in multiple directions to facilitate the alignment, removal, and replacement of rechargeable battery packs, while synchronously lifting devices capture the vehicle's wheels for precise positioning and also lift the vehicle above the removal and installation points. These are slower complex systems consisting of many moving parts.

[0011] Current energy storage systems or virtual power plants (VPPs) distribute energy to the power grid via fixed universal packages mounted on fixed racks within containers or units. No physical distribution method for the packages is provided. Most current systems are located in remote locations away from the general population and require large areas to facilitate their operation. The power losses due to the distance between the energy source and the destination directly contradict the benefits of such facilities.

[0012] Additionally, current charging and supercharging wired and wireless solutions have many drawbacks and challenges, including the need for large footprints or parking lots, the need to supply high voltages to each station. The inability to redirect energy back to the grid and the lack of energy storage to assist during peak times and / or power outages.

[0013] Existing systems also require customers to physically connect high-voltage cables to the vehicle. Typically these stations are not adequately covered or removed from outdoor elements, resulting in insufficient safety when handling these cables. Additionally, current charging solutions such as supercharging and other direct current fast charging (DCFC) units are costly and have inefficient energy usage / loss patterns.

[0014] Current battery swapping facilities and systems have many drawbacks and challenges. Typically, these systems are created by unique OEM automotive and / or battery manufacturers. Robotic and mechanical parts impact the cost and complexity of building and maintaining battery swapping facilities. Additionally, due to system inefficiencies, current battery swapping facilities are very large and have a relatively small KWh capacity rather than an MWh capacity internally at any given time.

[0015] Additionally, current energy package storage facilities do not efficiently utilize the entire available space and are restricted to hidden locations that are usually inconvenient for consumers.

[0016] In summary, the state of EV recharging and / or supplementary power is inadequate and not a viable solution for current and future needs. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The present invention relates to an energy storage and distribution system. In one of its preferred forms, the energy storage and distribution system has a modular construction formed by a plurality of discrete units, modules, or devices that can be set above or below the ground. Each of the modules or devices works together and can be connected to provide a complete energy storage and distribution system. In the complete system, the individual units or modules are connected to each other using a modifiable rail system that combines each module or device into an electromechanical rail autonomous cart (EMRAC). These EMRACs are designated as mobile nesting trays specifically adapted for storing and transporting rechargeable energy packs. Once the rail system is connected to a direct energy supply, each EMRAC creates an electrical circuit. This allows energy to be distributed to each energy pack present in the corresponding nesting tray and gives the ability to distribute energy back to the power grid as needed or desired.

[0018] This rail system and EMRAC are advantageously integrated with software and hardware optimized for energy pack storage maintenance. The system is also advantageously equipped to accommodate energy pack replacement between the energy storage and distribution system and applicable equipment such as an electric vehicle (EV) by including various mechanisms through which the EMRAC distributes fully powered (charged) energy packs to replace depleted or used energy packs from, for example, an EV or other energy pack-powered vehicle / machine.

[0019] The energy packs are preferably high-capacity and are individually stored in or on the EMRAC (e.g., in a nesting tray) while traveling / sliding along the rail system forming the module. The energy pack is designed to provide maximum MWh capacity deployment in a small footprint. The small footprint is achieved due to the unique rail system of the present invention, in which the EMRAC travels / slides along rails parallel to the ground or in a horizontal direction, and then these rails are connected to vertical rails, allowing the EMRACs to be vertically stacked above or below the ground in a three-dimensional array. In the simplest form, the EMRACs will be stacked on top of each other in a single stacked array in 2 axes / directions. However, an array extending in both the x and y axes / directions allows the EMRACs to be stacked side by side, such as a 2×n array, where 2 represents the number of columns of EMRACs in the horizontal or y direction, and n is the number of EMRACs stacked in the vertical direction.

[0020] The power of the system is provided as integrated direct energy that recharges or redirects energy going to and coming from the power grid to multiple energy packs, using an available battery management system (BMS) that monitors the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of the energy storage and distribution system to convert the energy back to the power grid.

[0021] This distribution system is adaptable to a variety of floor and wall-mounted battery pack configurations. Additionally, energy pack distribution allows for the quick replacement of an electric vehicle's energy pack using available replacement / exchange / replacement systems known in the art, while acting as a virtual power plant (VPP) to distribute energy to homes, buildings, and nearby communities as well as the power grid.

[0022] The system also provides the opportunity to efficiently manage the long-term use and reuse of energy storage devices. This includes raw materials containing minerals used to manufacture battery cells, allowing for easy control and management of the life cycle of battery packs, including recycling and reusing them for future use by, for example, future battery energy storage of EV manufacturers.

[0023] Advantages of the system include the ability to reconfigure and adopt existing and future possible vehicle refueling and charging infrastructure with minimal instruction. For example, placing the EMRAC array above ground minimizes the need for excavation and construction of infrastructure below ground. Additionally, a beneficial form of horizontal rails can be set on the ground and thus does not require construction for burial underground or within a foundation.

[0024] One form of the invention relates to an energy storage and distribution system. The system has at least one rechargeable energy pack and a rail system associated with the energy pack. The rail system has at least one rail that provides electricity to charge the rechargeable energy pack. A plurality of trays travel on one or more of the rails of the rail system, each tray for holding a corresponding one of the rechargeable energy packs.

[0025] In a beneficial form, the plurality of trays provide an electrical connection between the rail and the rechargeable energy pack. In other alternative embodiments, the plurality of trays can be vertically stacked, including being vertically stackable underground and / or above ground.

[0026] In a particular other alternative embodiment, the rail system includes one or two horizontal rails extending parallel to the ground and one or two vertical rails extending perpendicular to the horizontal rails.

[0027] Another form of the invention relates to an energy storage and distribution system having a plurality of rechargeable energy packs and a rail system. The rail system has one or two horizontal rails extending parallel to the ground and one or two vertical rails extending perpendicular to the horizontal rails. At least one of the horizontal rails and the vertical rails provides electricity to charge the plurality of rechargeable energy packs associated with the corresponding rail. A plurality of trays, each tray holding a corresponding one of the rechargeable energy packs on the rails of the rail system. The plurality of trays can be vertically stacked.

[0028] The system is superior to existing systems, and the advantages of the battery exchange system will become apparent from this disclosure, as the system overcomes the limitations of existing systems by the following:

[0029] 1. Make more efficient use of the storage / charging space of energy packs,

[0030] 2. Reduce the deployment footprint (e.g., parking lot) with a relatively more compact system, significantly reducing the space required and allowing for more energy storage / usage,

[0031] 3. Storage and charging options for energy packs both above and below ground (i.e., stacking),

[0032] 4. Simplify the system for moving, storing, and charging energy packs,

[0033] 5. Avoid the expense and inefficiency in terms of energy usage / current supercharging (i.e., "fast" charging system) losses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is an energy storage and distribution system according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is another energy storage and distribution system according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a detailed view of a part of the energy storage and distribution system.

[0037] Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of a part of.

[0038] Figure 5 is a view of a part of the guide rail system according to the present invention and a compartment within the body of the EMRAC on the guide rail.

[0039] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of a part of.

[0040] Figure 7A is another view of a part of the present guide rail system according to the present invention, where the CPTR of the EMRAC is above the guide rail and shows the internal operation of the EMRAC.

[0041] Figure 7B is another view of a part of the present guide rail system according to the present invention

[0042] Figures 8A to 8D is a series of schematic diagrams showing an exemplary operation process of the energy storage and distribution system according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 9 is an energy storage and distribution system according to another aspect of the present invention. Detailed implementation mode

[0044] The present disclosure relates to an energy storage and distribution system in which energy packs are moved, stored, and charged using a unique guide rail system in trays (Electromagnetic-Mechanical Rail Autonomous Cart (EMRAC)). The guide rail system includes two main components. The first component is a guide rail horizontally arranged along the ground and a vertical guide rail perpendicular to the guide rail along the ground, allowing the EMRAC to move laterally or parallel to the ground and then be vertically stacked into a vertical column of energy packs. Thus, the guide rail system with EMRAC is adapted to remove depleted energy packs from a compatible vehicle (such as an EV) or device, replace the depleted energy packs with charged energy packs, and charge the depleted energy packs in the EMRAC using a system with a small footprint.

[0045] Referring to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Figure 1 , the energy pack storage and distribution system 10 includes a guide rail system 20. The guide rail system 20 has a pair of guide rails 21a, 21b horizontally arranged along the ground. Additionally, the guide rail system 20 has two pairs of vertically extending guide rails 22a, 22b; and; 23a, 23b and two other complementary guide rails opposite to 23a, 23b. The EMRAC 24 travels along the guide rails of the guide rail system 20.

[0046] As Figure 1 shown, the guide rail system 20 with vertically extending guide rails 22a - 22d and 23a, 23b forms a two-dimensional array in which the EMRAC 24 is vertically stacked, travels vertically along the guide rails 22a - 22d, 23a, 23b, and travels horizontally along the guide rails 21a, 21b. Additionally, at the top of the guide rail system 20, there is a pair of additional guide rails 25a, 25b, allowing the EMRAC 24 such as 24c to move more laterally or horizontally between two vertical stacks of the EMRAC 24.

[0047] The system 10 allows the EMRAC 24 such as EMRAC 24d with a depleted energy pack to move from the EV 30 to the distribution system and from the distribution system to the EV 30, and the EMRAC 24d with a replaced energy pack returns to the vehicle 30.

[0048] Figure 1 There is a distribution system 40 arranged above the ground 41, and Figure 2 shows the distribution system 40 below the ground 41. Figure 2 In Figure 1 the elements similar to those in Figure 1 are incremented by 100 and only the aspects different from the similar elements in

[0049] The guide rail system 20 provides a path, structure, and electrical connection or energy for recharging the energy pack disposed in or on the EMRAC 24, acting as a bus bar to supply high-energy voltage current from the power grid to the EMRAC 24. Advantageously, the guide rail system 20 consists of at least a pair of isolated and insulated guide rails parallel or horizontal to the ground guide rail tracks 21a, 21b. The guide rails are advantageously divisible and isolatable between the positive charge region and the negative charge region, so that an open circuit can be established, through which the EMRAC 24 will close when inserted onto the guide rail track and the guide rails can be configured and modified as desired.

[0050] In addition, the guide rail system 20 enables energy to be transferred from the power grid to the energy pack and returned to the power grid by regulating and predicting through a system for converting the energy into an available system of other energy storage systems. Additionally, the guide rails such as 21a, 21b of the guide rail system 20 contain conductive materials insulated from their adjacent surroundings to energize the guide rails.

[0051] It should be emphasized that the guide rail system 20 can be modified and deployed in any complex manner, not limited to any one configuration, let alone Figure 1 and Figure 2 the two configurations.

[0052] The EMRAC 24 consists of two different components; refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 . The first component is the nested tray 50 and the contact point to the guide rail (CPTR) 55, note that Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of the area 400.

[0053] Specifically referring to Figure 3 , the nested tray 50 of the EMRAC 24 is empty, where the vehicle 30 has a depleted EV energy pack 31 currently set inside the vehicle 30 and parked on the ground 41.

[0054] Figure 4 An enlarged view of the drive motor 80 of the EMRAC 24 is shown. The drive motor 80 has a contact point to the guide rail (CPTR) 55 on the EMRAC 24 to the guide rail 21. A conventional battery swapping system schematically shown as the system 71 can be used together with the system 10 including those systems discussed in the background art section.

[0055] The nested tray 50 is an opening of the EMRAC 24 for holding and accepting a suitable energy pack. The nested tray 50 has space for the motor to move the contact point to the guide rails, hardware, and software necessary for autonomous control for activation, deployment, and maintenance, while providing an interface to the distribution module 40 for system charging of the depleted energy pack and managing and broadcasting the health status of each energy pack.

[0056] CPTR 55 refers to devices and components that are self-propelled and allow movement along a guide rail while continuously forming an electric current. This includes but is not limited to the following examples:

[0057] a) Wheel and axle assemblies, pad and slide assemblies, mechanical or magnetic gears, cogs, etc.,

[0058] b) Each containing a conductive material to receive power from the guide rail system,

[0059] c) Contact points on the EMRAC: Traveling along the positive and negative guide rails, and each CPTR 55 must be strong enough to support the weight of a fully operational EMRAC while carrying a fully charged energy pack, and

[0060] d) Conducting high-voltage current from the guide rail system to transfer energy to the required components on and within the EMRAC 24.

[0061] Energy can be directed to the waiting component section where control, maintenance, communication with monitoring and human-machine interfaces for movement will commence, but mainly to charge the on-board energy pack. Charging of the battery pack can be by direct connection, but is not limited to including inductive charging applicable to system 10.

[0062] Optional configurations enable attached lifting mechanisms to be incorporated within or below the nested trays for execution within specific requirements.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of area 600 of , where the battery and charge management system 85 includes a main board / power control 86, a positive hard connection bus bar 87 to the EMRAC, and a negative hard connection bus bar 88 to the EMRAC 24.

[0064] Drive motor 89a and gear 89b provide movement of the EMRAC 24. Conductive material 90 on the CPTR 55 is used to transfer energy to and from the EMRAC 24, and positive conductive strip 91 and negative conductive strip 92 are positioned along the guide rails of the guide rail system 20 to each CPTR 55 of each EMRAC 24. Figure 7A and Figure 7B are Figure 6 additional views of .

[0065] Now refer to Figures 8A to 8D , Figures 8A to 8D is a series of diagrams depicting an exemplary operation of system 10. Refer to Figure 8A, the oncoming vehicle 30 has an unoccupied EMRAC at the waiting position below the vehicle 30. Communication occurs between the EMRAC nested tray 50 and the vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 is guided to the replacement point, and precision is achieved by automating the movement of the vehicle 30 for precise alignment. The small forward and backward movement of the vehicle 30 relative to the spanning vehicle of the waiting EMRAC 24e creates satisfactory precision for starting to extract the depleted battery pack / energy pack 31 of the vehicle 30.

[0066] The vehicle 30 is confirmed to be in place and the EMRAC 24e is warned to accept the depleted energy pack 31. A lifting device (not shown) located below the waiting EMRAC 24e receives a signal to lift to a specific contact point with the depleted battery in the vehicle 30 (the movement of the depleted battery is shown by the dashed line 32). A signal is given when the lift is in place. Then, a signal is sent to the lock that secures the depleted energy pack 31 to the vehicle 30 to safely release the energy pack to the lifting device (not shown). Then a signal is given to the lifting device and the depleted energy pack drops directly into the waiting EMRAC 24e nested tray, which is connected to an attached management system that controls the health of each attached energy pack and initiates a maintenance protocol before controlling the speed to safely charge the depleted energy pack.

[0067] Reference Figure 8B , the EMRAC 24e returns the depleted energy pack 31 set in the nested tray to the position where it is fixed in the dispenser system 40.

[0068] The dispenser cycles above a position

[0069] Reference Figure 8C , once in place a signal is given, and all the EMRACs 24 in the dispenser system 40 cycle forward one position (e.g., clockwise) to advance the EMRAC 24f of the charged energy pack 33 as a battery replacement for the vehicle 30.

[0070] Now referring to Figure 8D , finally, the EMRAC 24f returns the charged energy pack 33 to the vehicle 30 now set below the vehicle 30. With the EMRAC 24f now positioned below the vehicle 30, a signal is then given to the lifting device below the EMRAC 24f to lift the charged energy pack from the EMRAC 24f back into the vehicle 30 again, as shown by the dashed line 32. Once the energy pack is within the vehicle 30 a signal is given to lock the energy pack to the vehicle 30 and actuate to secure the energy pack to the vehicle 30. Once completed, the vehicle 30 can leave the battery replacement area.

[0071] Possible lift devices that can be used with the present system 10 include lift devices capable of exchanging energy packs that can be purchased or developed individually.

[0072] Energy packs manufactured by an OEM or owner for a specific purpose are easily accommodated by the present system.

[0073] The following is a list of the benefits and advantages of the present system:

[0074] User benefits:

[0075] · Overcome range and recharge problems, where an alternative system for obtaining the benefits of owning or using electric transportation for 24 hours,

[0076] · A safe hands-free environment while re-powering the vehicle, with high-voltage equipment shielded and out of sight and reach of the user, and the user does not need to leave the vehicle throughout the replacement process.

[0077] · Quick and controlled replacement of depleted UEP, and

[0078] · Ensure that the ownership of expensive obsolete, depleted, damaged, and / or scrapped battery packs is no longer the user's responsibility, which also allows for a cheaper vehicle price and unlimited battery recharge cycles.

[0079] Fleet benefits:

[0080] · Provide a large amount of battery pack capacity in a small footprint for use in warehouses,

[0081] · Allow manned and unmanned vehicles to perform tasks on a 24-hour schedule, eliminating the need for redundant vehicles without replaceable battery packs to perform the same schedule.

[0082] · Easy to install, with minimal high-voltage pre-installation costs, while also providing multiple configurations to meet most space requirements, unlike current multi-vehicle recharging stations that require many transformers and points of use for charging equipment and land.

[0083] · The simplicity of operation of this system is equivalent to a longer mechanical life of the dispenser, and

[0084] · Eliminate the responsibility of managing used and / or decommissioned UEP and / or cells.

[0085] Energy supplier benefits source / distribution / EV infrastructure:

[0086] · Provide a unique platform for distributing and managing universal energy packs (UEP),

[0087] · Create an organized and managed available energy storage facility to provide energy support and assistance to nearby communities during high-demand or crisis periods.

[0088] · By recharging simultaneously within a dispenser by combining multiple packs, the number of high-voltage points is greatly restricted.

[0089] · The often-occupied gasoline refueling infrastructure, where thousands of vehicles refuel at a single location every day, is transformed into locations that can accommodate the same demand for EV battery replacement, making these locations the energy storage capacity of the VPP "peak power plant"; allowing EVs to meet these same criteria, which helps the growth of many new electrical devices added to the grid, and the energy storage of the UEP is the unification of a unique and more advanced infrastructure envisioned by the present invention as future electricity.

[0090] · The growth rate of the dispenser ultimately increases the energy storage capacity of the grid and, combined with the ability to distribute a common battery pack, creates significant infrastructure opportunities for future electric vehicles to help maintain a balanced grid, and

[0091] · Instead of creating a fixed battery pack solution in the energy storage system and the vehicle, the present invention helps to cycle, distribute, replace, and reuse an overall ultimately smaller total number of energy packs.

[0092] For vehicle manufacturers:

[0093] · Separate the evolution of the vehicle from the evolution of its energy pack.

[0094] · Since EVs generally have a longer lifespan than continuously obsolescing energy storage technologies, this system easily allows for vehicle battery upgrades when introduced by the manufacturer.

[0095] · The evolution of the energy storage industry has created an interconnected system, which means that vehicles will benefit from battery advancements and will not become obsolete, and

[0096] · Bring new opportunities for OEMs and EV charging solutions, using this system to distribute energy to the grid and providing new revenue sources for ICE vehicles that were previously controlled by other industries, which generally affects the overall cost to the user.

[0097] For energy pack / cell producers:

[0098] · Create opportunities for having common energy pack sizes and requirements in other industries.

[0099] · The development of higher-density batteries will ultimately reduce the size of the battery pack, further making the vehicle lighter for higher efficiency, which makes the distribution of EV packs easier, and

[0100] · Create closed-loop opportunities, from production, distribution, recycling to redistribution, simplifying and having a predefined supply chain cycle.

[0101] Now refer to Figure 9 , in which components similar to those in Figure 1 are increased by 200. System 210 is an example of an above-ground dispenser system with two vehicle exchange systems, one on each side of the dispenser 240. System 210 accommodates two vehicles, vehicle 330a and vehicle 330b.

[0102] It will now be clear that the present system can be adjusted in a variety of ways consistent with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, including but not limited to above-ground and below-ground dispensing systems and different arrays and numbers of vertical and horizontal stacks of EMRACs. Additionally, the embodiments and examples described herein are not limiting. For example, the location of the unoccupied battery replacing the EMRAC terminal can be changed according to other applications or different requirements. The views and drawings do not limit the number, size, or capacity of the battery packs in the system. Additional items and systems used in the examples may include BMSs or exchange systems from any manufacturer, as well as other software or hardware required for each application. The CPTR and rail system can use different conductive or magnetic materials.

Claims

1. An energy storage and distribution system, the system comprising: At least one rechargeable energy pack; A rail system associated with the at least one energy pack, the rail system having at least one rail that provides electricity to charge the rechargeable energy pack; And A plurality of trays, each tray for holding a respective one of the at least one rechargeable energy pack, the plurality of trays traveling on one or more rails of the rail system.

2. The energy system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of trays provide an electrical connection between the at least one rail and the at least one rechargeable energy pack.

3. The energy system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of trays are capable of being vertically stacked.

4. The energy system according to claim 3, wherein the vertically stackable trays are disposed underground.

5. The energy system according to claim 3, wherein the vertically stackable trays are disposed above the ground.

6. The energy system according to claim 3, wherein the vertically stackable trays span from underground to above the ground in a stacked manner.

7. The energy system according to claim 1, wherein the rail system includes one or two horizontal rails extending parallel to the ground and one or two vertical rails extending perpendicular to the horizontal rails.

8. An energy storage and distribution system, the system comprising: A plurality of rechargeable energy packs; A rail system associated with at least one energy pack, the rail system including one or two horizontal rails extending parallel to the ground and one or two vertical rails extending perpendicular to the horizontal rails; at least one of the horizontal rails and the vertical rails provides electricity to charge the plurality of rechargeable energy packs associated with the respective rail; A plurality of trays, each tray for holding a respective one of the plurality of rechargeable energy packs, the plurality of trays traveling on one or more rails of the rail system, the plurality of trays being capable of being vertically stacked.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of trays provide an electrical connection between one of the rails and the plurality of rechargeable energy packs.

Images