System and method for controlling home energy management system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling a home energy management system. A bi-directional energy transfer system for transferring energy between a motorized vehicle and other structures is provided. The bi-directional energy transfer system may include a home energy management system with dark start energy storage resources. When the dark start energy storage resource reaches a low power state, the home energy management system may enter a sleep mode. When the motorized vehicle returns to the fabric or near when the vehicle is expected to return to the fabric, the home energy management system may then use various recovery strategies to exit the sleep mode. Placing the home energy management system in a sleep mode ensures that the dark start energy storage resource will have a sufficient amount of energy to power the system loads necessary to initiate energy transfer from the vehicle to the structure during a power grid outage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a bidirectional energy transfer system capable of transferring energy between an electrified vehicle and other structures. Background Art

[0002] Plug-in electric vehicles include one or more charging ports for charging the traction battery pack. Plug-in vehicles are typically charged while parked at a charging station or some other utility power source. Plug-in vehicles can also be used to support household loads during power outages. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a bidirectional energy transfer system includes, among other things: a home energy management system comprising a dark start energy storage resource; and a control module programmed to command the home energy management system to enter a sleep mode during a grid outage condition to maintain the energy level of the dark start energy storage resource.

[0004] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer system, the control module is a component of a combiner box of the home energy management system.

[0005] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the dark start energy storage resource is a battery, a capacitor, or a supercapacitor.

[0006] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the control module is programmed to command a switch of the home energy management system to enter an open state, which disconnects the dark start energy storage resource from the downstream load to enter the sleep mode.

[0007] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the control module is programmed to command the switch to an open state when the state of charge of the dark start energy storage resource drops below a predefined state of charge threshold during the grid outage condition.

[0008] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the home energy management system includes a recovery circuit configured to cause the home energy management system to exit the sleep mode.

[0009] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the recovery circuit is programmed to command a switch of the home energy management system to enter a closed state, which connects the dark start energy storage resource to a downstream load to exit the sleep mode.

[0010] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the recovery circuit includes a manually actuated switch.

[0011] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the restoration circuit includes a communication line adapted to convey a trigger signal from electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to the switch.

[0012] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the restoration circuit includes a low power timer circuit configured to send a trigger signal to the switch when a time window has expired.

[0013] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the time window is a learned time window.

[0014] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing bidirectional energy transfer systems, the control module is further programmed to initiate communication between electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and the electrified vehicle after exiting the sleep mode.

[0015] A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, inter alia, commanding a home energy management system to enter a sleep mode when a dark-start energy storage resource reaches a low power state during a grid outage condition. During the sleep mode, the dark-start energy storage resource is disconnected from all system loads associated with the home energy management system.

[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the dark-start energy storage resource reaches the low power state when a state of charge of the dark-start energy storage resource drops below a predefined state of charge threshold during the grid outage condition.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, commanding the home energy management system to enter the sleep mode includes commanding a switch of the home energy management system to enter an open state, the open state disconnecting the dark start energy storage resource from the system load.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes commanding the home energy management system to exit the sleep mode when a vehicle has returned or is expected to soon return to a structure associated with the home energy management system.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, commanding the home energy management system to exit the sleep mode includes commanding a switch of the home energy management system to enter a closed state, the closed state connecting the dark-start energy storage resource to the system load.

[0020] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the switch transitions to the closed state when a button is manually actuated.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the switch transitions to the closed state in response to a trigger signal received from a communication link in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

[0022] In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the switch transitions to the closed state in response to a trigger signal received from a low power timer circuit.

[0023] The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, claims or following description and drawings (including any of their various aspects or corresponding individual features) may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in conjunction with one embodiment apply to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

[0024] The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A first configuration of a bidirectional energy transfer system is schematically shown.

[0026] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A second configuration of the bidirectional energy transfer system.

[0027] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 Exemplary aspects of a home energy management system based on a bidirectional energy transfer system.

[0028] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for controlling a home energy management system during a grid outage condition.

[0029] Figure 5 An exemplary recovery circuit for a home energy management system is schematically shown.

[0030] Figure 6Another exemplary recovery circuit for a home energy management system is schematically shown.

[0031] Figure 7 Another exemplary recovery circuit for a home energy management system is schematically shown.

[0032] Figure 8 Yet another exemplary recovery circuit for a home energy management system is schematically illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present disclosure relates to a bidirectional energy transfer system capable of transferring energy between an electrified vehicle and other structures. The bidirectional energy transfer system may include a home energy management system having a dark start energy storage resource. When the dark start energy storage resource reaches a low power state, the home energy management system may enter a sleep mode. When the electrified vehicle returns to the structure or near the time when the vehicle is expected to return to the structure, the home energy management system may then use various recovery strategies to exit the sleep mode. Placing the home energy management system in sleep mode ensures that the dark start energy storage resource will have a sufficient amount of energy to power the system loads necessary to initiate energy transfer from the vehicle to the structure during a grid outage. These and other features of the present disclosure are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs of this detailed description.

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary bidirectional energy transfer system 10 (hereinafter referred to as "system 10") for bidirectionally transferring energy between a vehicle 12 and a structure 14 is schematically illustrated. System 10 enables bidirectional energy transfer from vehicle 12 to structure 14, or vice versa. Structure 14 may be a residential building, a commercial building, a parking lot, a charging station, or any other type of structure capable of receiving or transferring energy. In one embodiment, structure 14 is a residential residence that serves as a "home location" for vehicle 12.

[0035] Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit this disclosure. The arrangement and orientation of the various components of the depicted systems are shown schematically and may vary within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the various drawings accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component, assembly, or system.

[0036] In one embodiment, vehicle 12 is a plug-in electric vehicle (e.g., a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Vehicle 12 includes a traction battery pack 16 that is part of an electrified powertrain capable of applying torque from an electric machine (e.g., an electric motor) to drive wheels 18 of vehicle 12. The electrified powertrain of vehicle 12 can electrically propel the set of wheels 18 with or without assistance from an internal combustion engine.

[0037] Figures 1 to 2 The vehicle 12 is schematically shown as a sedan. However, other vehicle configurations are also contemplated. The teachings of the present disclosure can be applied to any type of vehicle, such as the vehicle 12. For example, the vehicle 12 can be configured as a sedan, a pickup truck, a van, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), etc.

[0038] Although shown schematically, the traction battery pack 16 may be configured as a high-voltage traction battery pack that includes a plurality of battery arrays 20 (e.g., battery assemblies or groups of battery cells) capable of outputting power to one or more electric machines of the vehicle 12. Other types of energy storage devices and / or output devices may also be used to power the vehicle 12.

[0039] The vehicle 12 can interface with the structure 14 via electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 22 to perform bidirectional energy transfer of the system 10. In an embodiment, the EVSE 22 is a wall box that can be mounted to a wall 25 of the structure 14. A charging cable 24 can operably connect the EVSE 22 to a charging port assembly 26 of the vehicle 12 for transferring energy between the vehicle 12 and the structure 14. The charging cable 24 can be configured to provide any level of charging (e.g., 120VAC, 240VAC, direct current (DC) charging, etc.).

[0040] The EVSE 22 can be operably connected to the AC infrastructure 30 of the structure 14 via a home energy management system 28. The home energy management system 28 can include a combiner box 40, which is a type of bidirectional energy transfer module. For example, various electrical loads 31, such as household appliance loads, can be associated with the AC infrastructure 30. Electrical loads 31 are sometimes referred to as transient loads of the AC infrastructure 30 and can include loads associated with common kitchen appliances, washers, dryers, water heaters, air conditioning units, furnaces, home alarm systems, sump pump systems, routers, home lighting systems, and the like. The AC infrastructure 30 can also include a main service panel 33, which is operably located between the combiner box 40 and the electrical loads 31.

[0041] Power from the grid power source 32 (e.g., AC power), power from a renewable power source 34 (e.g., solar, wind, etc.), power from the vehicle 12, or some combination thereof can be selectively delivered to the AC infrastructure 30 for use in powering the electrical loads 31. A combiner box 40 can control the delivery of power to the AC infrastructure 30. In some embodiments, the combiner box 40 can further control the delivery of power to the grid power source 32. For example, power from the vehicle 12 can be periodically delivered back to the grid power source 32 through the combiner box 40.

[0042] The combiner box 40 can serve as a junction between the AC infrastructure 30 and each of the grid power source 32, the vehicle 12, and the renewable power source 34. The combiner box 40 can electrically isolate the AC infrastructure 30 from the grid power source 32 during a grid outage condition and can control the turning on and off of the electrical loads 31. In one embodiment, the combiner box 40 can activate a transfer switch to separate the grid power source 32 from the electrical loads 31, and then pass power from the renewable power source 34, the vehicle 12, or both to the electrical loads 31.

[0043] Power received from or delivered to the vehicle 12 may be transferred through the combiner box 40. The combiner box 40 is configured to facilitate bidirectional power transfer between the vehicle 12 and the structure 14. The home energy management system 28 may include various equipment necessary to enable power transfer to / from the vehicle 12.

[0044] The vehicle 12 may also include a vehicle power transfer system 36 configured to further enable bidirectional power transfer between the vehicle 12 and the structure 14. The vehicle power transfer system 36 may be operably connected between the charge port assembly 26 and the traction battery pack 16 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle power transfer system 36 may include various equipment for enabling the vehicle 12 to serve as a backup power source for delivering power to the structure 14, such as a charger, a converter, an inverter, HV relays or contactors, a motor controller (which may be referred to as an inverter system controller or ISC), etc. The vehicle power transfer system 36 may also be configured to enable the vehicle 12 to receive power from the structure 14 and to transfer energy between the traction battery pack 16 and one or more electric motors of the vehicle 12.

[0045] A non-limiting example of a suitable vehicle power transfer system that may be employed within the vehicle 12 to implement bidirectional power transfer is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0324665, assigned to Ford Global Technologies LLC, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, other power transfer systems may be utilized to implement bidirectional power transfer within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 1 A first configuration C1 of the system 10 is schematically illustrated. During the first configuration C1, electrical power may be transferred from the structure 14 to the vehicle 12, such as for charging the traction battery pack 16 of the vehicle 12. The direction of energy transfer during the first configuration C1 is schematically depicted by arrows 38.

[0047] Figure 2 A second configuration C2 of the system 10 is schematically illustrated. During the second configuration C2, power can be transferred from the traction battery pack 16 of the vehicle 12 to the structure 14. The direction of energy transfer during the second configuration C2 is schematically illustrated by arrows 39. In this manner, the vehicle 12 can be employed as a backup energy management system, such as to power the electrical loads 31 of the structure 14 when power from the grid power source 32 is temporarily unavailable, for example due to a power outage.

[0048] It will be appreciated that the combiner box 40 and the other loads of the home energy management system 28 are typically powered by the grid power source 32. During a grid outage condition where energy from the grid power source 32 is temporarily unavailable, the combiner box 40 still needs to be powered in order to be able to detect the vehicle 12 and communicate with the EVSE 22 to transfer power from the vehicle 12 to the structure 14. This is sometimes referred to as a "dark start."

[0049] The home energy management system 28 may additionally include a dark start energy storage resource 42 operatively connected to the combiner box 40. Figures 1 to 2 4. The dark start energy storage resource 42 is shown separately from the combiner box 40, but the combiner box 40 and the dark start energy storage resource 42 may be integrated together as part of a common module.

[0050] For example, when power is unavailable from the grid power source 32 or any other energy source (e.g., the renewable power source 34, the vehicle 12, etc.), the dark start energy storage resource 42 may be able to supply a limited amount of backup power to certain components of the system 10, such as the combiner box 40. The dark start energy storage resource 42 may include a battery (e.g., a 13V battery), a capacitor, an ultracapacitor, or any other suitable energy storage device.

[0051] The dark-start energy storage resource 42 is typically only able to provide power for a relatively limited amount of time (e.g., approximately 24 hours) during a grid outage condition. If the vehicle 12 does not return to the structure 14 until the energy level of the dark-start energy storage resource 42 is depleted, the system 10 may become inoperable and, therefore, unable to support the structure 14 with energy from the vehicle 12 during the grid outage condition. Therefore, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for extending the functionality of the dark-start energy storage resource 42 during a grid outage condition.

[0052] Figure 3 It is schematically shown in Figures 1 to 2 In addition to the combiner box 40 and the dark start energy storage resource 42 , the home energy management system 28 may also include one or more switches 44 and one or more control modules 46 .

[0053] The switch 44 can be configured to selectively connect or disconnect the conductive path 99 between the dark start energy storage resource 42 and the internal circuitry of the combiner box 40 and any other downstream system loads of the home energy management system 28. Exemplary switches 44 include, but are not limited to, transistors, metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), solid-state switches, relays, contactors, and the like.

[0054] In one embodiment, the control module 46 is a component of the combiner box 40. However, other configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although schematically illustrated as a single control module, the home energy management system 28 may include multiple control modules that are operably linked and configured to function together to facilitate various control strategies associated with the home energy management system 28.

[0055] Control module 46 may include a processor 48 and non-transitory memory 50 for executing various control strategies and modes associated with home energy management system 28. Processor 48 may be a custom or commercially available processor, central processing unit (CPU), or generally any device for executing software instructions.

[0056] The memory 50 may include a combination of volatile memory elements 52 and non-volatile memory elements 54. The volatile memory elements 52 require power to store data, while the non-volatile memory elements 54 can store data without consuming power.

[0057] The processor 48 may be operably coupled to the memory 50 and may be configured to execute one or more programs stored in the memory 50 of the control module 46 based on various inputs received from other devices such as the EVSE 22 , the dark start energy storage resource 42 , the switch 44 , and the like.

[0058] The control module 46 can be programmed to automatically place the home energy management system 28 into a sleep mode when power from the grid power source 32 is unavailable and the dark-start energy storage resource 42 reaches a low-power state. For example, the dark-start energy storage resource 42 can reach a low-power state when the state of charge of the dark-start energy storage resource 42 drops below a predefined state of charge threshold.

[0059] Placing the home energy management system 28 into sleep mode may include copying all data in the memory 50 from the volatile memory element 52 to the non-volatile memory element 54. This will prevent data loss when power is subsequently removed from the home energy management system 28.

[0060] Placing the home energy management system 28 in the sleep mode may also include commanding the switch 44 to enter an open state to disconnect the dark-start energy storage resource 42 from the combiner box 40 and any other downstream loads of the home energy management system 28. Once the dark-start energy storage resource 42 has been disconnected from all downstream loads, the energy consumption on the dark-start energy storage resource 42 will be almost negligible, thereby significantly extending the amount of time that the dark-start energy storage resource 42 can remain operable to support system loads during a given grid outage condition.

[0061] The home energy management system 28 can remain in sleep mode until power must be delivered back to the combiner box 40, such as to prepare the system 10 to transfer energy from, for example, the vehicle 12 to the structure 14. Exiting the home energy management system 28 from sleep mode can include commanding the switch 44 to enter a closed state to reconnect the dark start energy storage resource 42 to the combiner box 40 and any other downstream loads. Once power is restored to the combiner box 40, the control module 46 wakes up and can begin communicating with the EVSE 22 via the combiner communication line 56, which can transmit data between the EVSE 22 and the combiner box 40. Following the handshake between the combiner box 40 and the EVSE 22, the EVSE 22 can close a relay to begin transferring power from the vehicle 12 to the combiner box 40. Thus, the home energy management system 28 is able to coordinate the transfer of energy from the vehicle 12 to the structure 14 even if a relatively large amount of time has elapsed between the time the grid outage condition begins and the time the user reconnects the vehicle 12 to the system 10 by plugging the charging cable 24 of the EVSE 22 into the charging port assembly 26 of the vehicle 12.

[0062] Since the dark start energy storage resource 42 is disconnected from the downstream loads during the sleep mode, power must be provided in another manner for triggering the switch 44 back to the closed state and thus delivering power back to the downstream loads. A variety of recovery strategies (e.g., manual, automatic, scheduled, and learned) are contemplated for triggering the switch 44 and returning power to the downstream loads and are discussed further below (see, e.g., Figures 5 to 8 ).

[0063] Continue to refer Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 4An exemplary method 100 for controlling a home energy management system 28 during a grid outage condition is schematically illustrated in flowchart form. The home energy management system 28 can be configured to employ one or more algorithms suitable for performing at least a portion of the steps of the exemplary method 100. For example, the method 100 can be stored as executable instructions in the memory 50 of the control module 46, and the executable instructions can be embodied in any computer-readable medium that can be executed by the processor 48 of the control module 46.

[0064] The exemplary method 100 may begin at block 102. At block 104, the method 100 may determine whether power is available from the grid power source 32. If "no," thus indicating a grid outage condition, the method 100 may proceed to block 106 by determining whether the vehicle 12 is remote from the structure 14 or is expected to be remote from the structure 14 during an upcoming time period. For example, the method 100 may infer that the vehicle 12 is remote from the structure 14 based on a plug status signal from the EVSE 22. Alternatively, the method 100 may infer that the vehicle 12 is remote from the structure 14 based on known or learned calendar / schedule information associated with the user of the vehicle 12.

[0065] If block 106 returns a "yes" flag, the method 100 may proceed to block 108 by powering all system loads associated with the home energy management system 28 using power from the dark-start energy storage resource 42. The method 100 may then monitor whether the dark-start energy storage resource 42 has reached a low-power state at block 110. For example, the low-power state may be assumed when the state of charge of the dark-start energy storage resource 42 is below a predefined state of charge threshold.

[0066] If a “yes” flag is returned at block 110, the method 100 may command the home energy management system 28 to enter a sleep mode at block 112. Entering the sleep mode may include copying all data in the memory 50 from the volatile memory element 52 to the non-volatile memory element 54, and then commanding the switch 44 to enter an open state to disconnect the dark start energy storage resource 42 from all downstream loads of the home energy management system 28.

[0067] Next, at block 114, the method 100 may determine whether the vehicle 12 has returned or is expected to return soon to the structure 14. The method 100 may infer that the vehicle 12 has returned or is expected to return soon to the structure 14 based on a plug status signal from the EVSE 22, manual user input, an amount of time that has passed (planned or learned), etc.

[0068] If a "yes" flag is returned at block 114, the method 100 may proceed to block 116 and command the home energy management system 28 to exit the sleep mode. Exiting the sleep mode may include commanding the switch 44 back to a closed state to reconnect the dark-start energy storage resource 42 to the downstream system loads. As discussed further below, the power used to trigger the switch 44 back to a closed state may come from a power source separate from the dark-start energy storage resource 42 or any downstream system loads.

[0069] At box 118, the method 100 may prepare the system 10 to transfer energy from the vehicle 12 to the structure 14. Then, at box 120, the vehicle 12 may transfer energy to return power to the structure 14. The method 100 may end at box 122.

[0070] Figure 5 An exemplary restoration circuit 60 is shown that can be used as part of a manual restoration strategy for triggering the switch 44 and returning power to downstream loads when exiting the sleep mode. The restoration circuit 60 can include a manually operable switch 62 that can be manually actuated by a user, such as by pressing a button 64 that can be located, for example, on the combiner box 40. When the button 64 is pressed, the switch 44 is automatically triggered, thereby prompting the home energy management system 28 to exit the sleep mode.

[0071] A plurality of resistors 66 may be strategically positioned throughout the recovery circuit 60. For example, the resistors 66 may be configured to provide voltage protection for grounding the recovery circuit 60, such as by reducing a floating voltage.

[0072] Figure 6 Another exemplary restoration circuit 68 is shown that can be used as part of an automatic restoration strategy for triggering the switch 44 and returning power to downstream system loads after exiting sleep mode. The restoration circuit 68 can utilize a communication link 70 from the EVSE 22 to deliver the power required to trigger the switch 44 to the closed state. For example, when a user plugs the charging cable 24 of the EVSE 22 into the charging port assembly 26 of the vehicle 12, the communication link 70 can automatically send a trigger signal to the switch 44. The trigger signal delivers the power required to trigger the switch 44 to the closed state.

[0073] A plurality of resistors 66 may be strategically positioned throughout the recovery circuit 68. For example, the resistors 66 may be configured to provide voltage protection for grounding the recovery circuit 68, such as by reducing a floating voltage.

[0074] Figure 7Another exemplary restoration circuit 72 is shown that can be used as part of a planned restoration strategy for triggering the switch 44 and returning power to downstream loads when exiting the sleep mode. The restoration circuit 72 can include a low-power timer circuit 74, by which a user can pre-program a time window during which the vehicle 12 is expected to be away from the structure 14. When the time window has expired, the low-power timer circuit 74 can automatically send a trigger signal to the switch 44. The trigger signal delivers the power required to trigger the switch 44 to the closed state.

[0075] Multiple resistors 66 may be strategically located throughout the recovery circuit 72. For example, the resistors 66 may be configured to provide voltage protection for grounding the recovery circuit 72, such as by reducing a floating voltage.

[0076] Figure 8 Another exemplary restoration circuit 76 is shown, which can be used as part of a learned restoration strategy for triggering the switch 44 and returning power to downstream loads when exiting sleep mode. The restoration circuit 76 can include a low-power timer circuit 78. The processor 48 of the control module 46 can be programmed to execute a machine learning program 80 stored in the memory 50 to learn a time window in which the vehicle 12 is expected to be away from the structure 14. The learned time window can be based on an observed, predictable schedule of when the user has plugged the charging cable 24 into the vehicle 12 in the past. When the learned time window has expired, the low-power timer circuit 78 can send a trigger signal to the switch 44. The trigger signal delivers the power required to trigger the switch 44 to the closed state.

[0077] Multiple resistors 66 may be strategically located throughout the recovery circuit 76. For example, the resistors 66 may be configured to provide voltage protection for grounding the recovery circuit 76, such as by reducing a floating voltage.

[0078] A home energy management system described herein includes a dark-start energy storage resource that can power system loads during a grid outage. The dark-start energy storage resource can disconnect all system loads during a grid outage to extend their operability, thereby ensuring operability regardless of user interaction and improving customer satisfaction.

[0079] Although different non-limiting embodiments are shown as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. Some components or features from any one of the non-limiting embodiments can be used in combination with features or components from any one of the other non-limiting embodiments.

[0080] It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings.It should be understood that although particular component arrangements are disclosed and shown in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

[0081] The foregoing description should be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications may occur within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the appended claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A bidirectional energy transfer system comprising: a home energy management system comprising a dark start energy storage resource; as well as A control module is programmed to command the home energy management system to enter a sleep mode during a grid outage condition to maintain an energy level of the dark start energy storage resource.

2. The bidirectional energy transfer system of claim 1, wherein the control module is a component of a combiner box of the home energy management system.

3. The bidirectional energy transfer system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dark start energy storage resource is a battery, a capacitor or a supercapacitor.

4. A bidirectional energy transfer system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module is programmed to command a switch of the home energy management system to enter an open state, wherein the open state disconnects the dark start energy storage resource from the downstream load to enter the sleep mode, and optionally wherein the control module is programmed to command the switch to enter the open state when the state of charge of the dark start energy storage resource drops below a predefined state of charge threshold during the grid outage condition.

5. The bidirectional energy transfer system of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the home energy management system comprises a recovery circuit configured to cause the home energy management system to exit the sleep mode.

6. A bidirectional energy transfer system as described in claim 5, wherein the recovery circuit is programmed to command a switch of the home energy management system to enter a closed state, which connects the dark start energy storage resource to the downstream load to exit the sleep mode, and optionally wherein the control module is also programmed to initiate communication between the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and the electrified vehicle after exiting the sleep mode.

7. The bidirectional energy transfer system of claim 6, wherein the restoration circuit comprises a manually actuated switch.

8. The bidirectional energy transfer system of claim 6, wherein the restoration circuit includes a communication line adapted to transmit a trigger signal from the electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to the switch.

9. A bidirectional energy transfer system as described in claim 6, wherein the recovery circuit includes a low power timer circuit, the low power timer circuit being configured to send a trigger signal to the switch when a time window has expired, and optionally wherein the time window is a learned time window.

10. A method comprising: commanding the home energy management system to enter a sleep mode when the dark start energy storage resource reaches a low power state during a grid outage condition, Wherein during the sleep mode, the dark start energy storage resource is disconnected from all system loads associated with the home energy management system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the dark-start energy storage resource reaches the low power state when a state of charge of the dark-start energy storage resource drops below a predefined state of charge threshold during the grid outage condition.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein commanding the home energy management system to enter the sleep mode comprises: A switch of the home energy management system is commanded to enter an open state, the open state disconnecting the dark-start energy storage resource from the system load.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising: When the vehicle has returned or is expected to soon return to a structure associated with the home energy management system, the home energy management system is commanded to exit the sleep mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein commanding the home energy management system to exit the sleep mode comprises: A switch of the home energy management system is commanded to enter a closed state, the closed state reconnecting the dark-start energy storage resource to the system load.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the switch transitions to the closed state when a push button is manually actuated, or in response to a trigger signal received from a communication link in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), or in response to a trigger signal received from a low power timer circuit.

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