Energy delivery system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method, control system, a decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit, a computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product for delivery of electricity to one or more consumers. The computer-implemented method performed by an electricity delivery system comprises transmitting, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network. The method further comprises obtaining an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication. Further, the method comprises determining an accessibility parameter of the local grid network and identifying an action.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] Energy delivery system

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an electricity delivery system for delivering electricity to one or more electricity consumers. More specifically, the aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for dynamic delivery and storage of electrical energy by means of decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units and a network of units.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] One of the biggest challenges facing the energy industry today is the high demand for electricity, which has led to surges in prices and capacity limitations. As a result, energy providers are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for power, which is putting a strain on energy infrastructure and threatening the stability of the energy distribution network. Despite these challenges, the industry is working hard to find solutions to meet the ever-increasing energy demands of modern society. From renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, to advancements in energy storage technology and smart grid systems, there are a variety of innovative solutions being explored. One of the main areas which is expected to grow and accordingly place an unprecedented demand on the amount of required power and energy is the transport sector and more specifically the fast-charging electrical vehicles. At present, lack of sufficient electricity production places a very high strain on the electricity transport infrastructure e.g. on the installation of sufficiently dimensioned transport cables capable of transporting the produced electricity to consumers. More specifically, in urban areas, many electricity consumers are geographically scattered, which requires provisioning the distribution capacity by installation and preparation of the electricity network infrastructure including transport cables prior to allowing more consumers to be connected to the distribution network. Furthermore, installation of fast charging stations and solutions in areas lacking the necessary infrastructure and distribution capacity is hindered.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for solutions in the art that are capable of efficient storage and delivery of electricity to electricity consumers, specifically in highly-populated geographical areas suffering from electricity distribution capacity.

[0008] SUMMARY

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a control system, a method, a computer program carrier, and a computer program product, and decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units and a network of units which alleviate all or at least some of the drawbacks of presently known solutions.

[0010] More specifically, it is an object of the present disclosure to alleviate problems related to storage and delivery of electricity in an electrical grid network.

[0011] These objects are achieved by means of a control system, decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units and a network of units, a method, a computer program carrier, and a computer program product, as defined in the appended independent claims. The term exemplary is in the present context to be understood as serving as an instance, example or illustration.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-implemented method performed by an electricity delivery system. The method comprises transmitting, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network. The method further comprises obtaining, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication. Further, the method comprises determining, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network. The method further comprises identifying, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network, an action associated with the electricity delivery system to be performed by the electricity delivery system.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the method may further comprise establishing a direct communication via a dedicated communication interface integrated with a platform of the local grid network. Further, the method may comprise transmitting the accessibility indication to the platform of the local grid network via the dedicated communication interface; wherein the accessibility indication comprises a check-in event initiated by the dedicated communication interface, the check-in event comprising a check-in message to be transmitted to the local grid network.

[0014] The present inventors have realized that one of the outstanding advantages of the presented solution is to install decentralized modular energy storage and delivery units in connection with the electricity grid network, specifically in cities and urban areas having the outmost capacity and power shortages.

[0015] Accordingly, the electricity delivery systems and decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units presented in the solutions herein, are configured as local electricity hubs for storage of electricity during off-peak hours and delivery of electricity to the consumers during the peak hours. Most notably, the systems and methods presented herein are devised to be installed in geographical areas suffering from distribution capacity and necessary infrastructure. By the proposed systems and methods, the installed hubs i.e. the decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units would not place any burden on the electricity producers and electricity distribution network e.g. the local grid network. Since, according to the presented solution, the electricity delivery system is configured to adaptively and dynamically communicate with the electrical grid network and upon notification of lack of capacity, evacuate the capacity absorption landscape of the electricity distribution network and free up distribution capacity to the grid. In other words, the presented energy hubs can be installed in the areas with capacity shortage without imposing any additional demands or requiring any more distribution capacity from the grid in that geographical area than that which is available. Even further, the energy hubs are configured to provide fast-charging services to the EVs, even when isolated from the grid and / or support the grid by providing stored electricity in the modular energy storage and delivery units back to the grid in high-demand and peak hours.

[0016] In a second aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a (non-transitory) computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured to be executed by one or more processors of a processing system e.g. a computing unit of an electricity delivery system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for performing the method according to any one of the embodiments of the method disclosed herein. With this aspect of the disclosed technology, similar advantages and preferred features are present as in the other aspects.

[0017] The term "non-transitory," as used herein, is intended to describe a computer-readable storage medium (or "memory") excluding propagating electromagnetic signals, but are not intended to otherwise limit the type of physical computer-readable storage device that is encompassed by the phrase computer-readable medium or memory. For instance, the terms "non-transitory computer readable medium" or "tangible memory" are intended to encompass types of storage devices that do not necessarily store information permanently, including for example, random access memory (RAM). Program instructions and data stored on a tangible computer-accessible storage medium in non- transitory form may further be transmitted by transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, which may be conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and / or a wireless link. Thus, the term "non-transitory", as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM). According to a further third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors of the electricity delivery system, causes the one or more processors to carry out the method according to any one of the embodiments of the methods according to the first aspect of this disclosure.

[0018] According to yet fourth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an electricity delivery system for delivering electricity to one or more electricity consumers. The system comprises processing circuitry configured to transmit, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network. The processing circuitry is further configured to obtain, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network and identify, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network, an action associated with the electricity delivery system to be performed by the electricity delivery system.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit comprised in an electricity delivery system according to any one of the embodiments of the fourth aspect herein, wherein the modular unit comprises a primary electricity delivery module comprising an electricity delivery management module, and a respective electricity storage module. The electricity delivery management module comprises a connection to a local grid network. The respective electricity storage module comprises one or more high capacity battery packs configured for storage and / or delivery of electricity. The decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit further comprises one or more secondary electricity delivery modules comprising one or more secondary electricity storage modules, wherein each secondary electricity storage module comprises one or more high capacity battery packs; and wherein the one or more secondary electricity delivery modules are configured to be connectable to and in communication with the primary electricity delivery module.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery network comprising one or more decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units according to the fifth aspect herein.

[0021] Further embodiments of the different aspects are defined in the dependent claims. It is to be noted that all the embodiments, elements, features and advantages associated with the first aspect also analogously apply to the second, third, fourth, fifth and the sixth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will in the following be further clarified in the following detailed description.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure will appear from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to scale.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electricity delivery system according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Fig. 2 is an exemplary graph depicting the power and capacity relations in a grid network in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of the decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with several embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the steps, services and functions explained herein may be implemented using individual hardware circuitry, using software functioning in conjunction with a programmed microprocessor or general purpose computer, using one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and / or using one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs). It will also be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a method, it may also be embodied in one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

[0032] In the following description of exemplary embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar components. Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example of an electricity delivery system 1 according to several aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. According to several exemplary embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 may be in communication with or coupled to an electrical grid network 2 comprising a local grid network 2a, a regional grid network 2b and / or national grid network 2c. The local grid network 2a may throughout this specification be also referred to as the local electricity distribution network 2a, or Distribution System Operators (DSO) 2a. The regional and / or national grid networks 2b, 2c may also be referred to as transmission system operator (TSO).

[0033] In several aspects and embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 is configured for providing electricity needs of electricity consumers including chargeable electrical vehicles (EVs), residential or industrial buildings, or any suitable energy-consuming entities. The electricity delivery system 1 may be referred to hereinafter as the system 1 for simplicity.

[0034] Accordingly, in several exemplary embodiment, the electricity delivery system may comprise one or more charging stations / electricity delivery units configured for fast-charging one or more EVs.

[0035] The system 1 may comprise one or more decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units 100a - lOOn, wherein "n" is a real number simply denoting the number of the units. Each unit is configured for providing electricity needs of electricity consumers. The units may also be interchangeably simply referred to as units or energy hubs in this description.

[0036] The system 1 accordingly may comprise a network 200 of one or more decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units 100a - lOOn configured for providing electricity needs of electricity consumers. Each unit 100a - lOOn comprises one or more modules configured for storage and delivery of electricity.

[0037] The system 1 may comprise various entities and components configured to perform designated operations in each energy hub or in communication with various other internal and external entities. The various entities and components may be comprised in each energy hub 100a - lOOn. However, alternatively, at least some of the various entities and components may only be present in one specific module of each energy hub 100a - lOOn. For instance, the present inventors have realized that the modular units may be implemented by including a master or primary module such as module 100a-l which comprises a majority of the required entities and components such as power electronics, wireless communication modules, computing devices comprising one or more processing circuitry. The primary electricity delivery module 100a-l comprises a respective electricity storage module 100a-ll that comprises one or more high capacity battery packs 300a-l configured for storage and / or delivery of electricity. Power electronics may comprise AC / DC inverters such as bipolar AC / DC inverter 113 configured for forming the electrical connection towards the grid network 2a. Power electronics may comprise transformers 114 or any other necessary component required. In the proposed modular solution, each hub such as hub 100a has only one electrical connection to the grid 2a, wherein that electrical connection e.g. via the AC / DC inverter 113 is a bidirectional connection configured for absorbing and / or feeding back electricity from and to the local grid 2a. In the proposed solution, the grid connection 113a of each hub e.g. hub 100a is arranged in the master module as shown e.g. in Fig.

[0038] 3 and Fig. 4.

[0039] The rest on the one or more modules included in each unit 100a - lOOn, may be referred to as slave or secondary electricity delivery modules e.g. secondary modules 100a-2, 100a-3, ...., lOOa-j in the exemplary hub 100a comprising one or more secondary electricity storage modules 100a-21, 100a-31, ...., lOOa-jl, with "j" also being a real number indicating the number of secondary modules comprised in a respective hub. The primary electricity delivery module may simply be referred to as the primary module. The one or more secondary electricity delivery modules may simply be referred to as the secondary modules. In the reset of this description, different elements, features, entities and components will be described with respect to energy hub 100a and its respective primary module 100a-l and secondary modules 100a-2 - lOOa-j. However, the skilled person readily understands that the description analogously applies with respect the other units and / or the network 200 of units comprised in the system 1.

[0040] The secondary modules do not require to have any direct grid connections. This significantly reduces the number of required electricity transport cables, connectors, power electronics, converters, any need for specific construction sites or installation of underground cables for each module among others. The electricity is distributed from the mater module to the secondary modules by means internal electricity transport network (not specifically shown) within each hub 100a - lOOn.

[0041] Each energy storage module 100a-21, 100a-31, ...., lOOa-jl, be the primary and / or the secondary module in turn may comprise one or more high capacity battery packs 300a-l - 300a-j configured for storage and / or delivery of electricity. In several exemplary embodiments, the master module may be arranged at any suitable arrangement with respect to the one or more secondary modules.

[0042] For instance, the example of Fig. 1 illustrates the system 1 and a master module 100a-l is shown to further elucidate the system 1 according to several aspects and embodiments herein. The skilled person however readily understands that the system 1 may comprise more than one master module or one or more secondary modules or a network 200 of hubs 100a - lOOn being managed and controlled by the system 1, each hub comprising a respective primary module and one or more secondary modules. The exemplary system 1 which may also be referred to as control system 1 of Fig. 1 comprises one or more computing devices, each computing device comprising processing circuitry for carrying out several operations as presented herein. The computing devices and processing circuitry may be implemented locally in each unit 100a - lOOn or at least partly in a remote sever, as explained herein. The system 1 may be located and implemented locally in one or more energy hubs. Additionally or alternatively, the system 1 may be comprised and located entirely or at least partly in the remove server e.g. remote server 15 or be implemented in network solutions such a cloud networks and cloud solutions such as the cloud network 20.

[0043] In several embodiments, the system 1 may comprise and / or be in communication with external communication networks 20. The external networks may comprise a cloud solution 20. The cloud network 20 may comprises or be in communication with a remote server 15. The cloud network 20 may comprise or be in communication with processing circuitry. Storage and processing modules of the cloud network and / or the remote server may be employed for executing and implementing at least some of the solutions presented herein. Historical data or measurements may be stored on external remote servers 15 or on cloud network 20. Data may be obtained from the cloud 20 or the remote server on demand.

[0044] Further, the system 1 and respective units 100a - lOOn may be connected to external network(s) 20 via for instance a wireless link or communication interface via various technologies such as cellular long range or short range such as Wireless Local Area (LAN), WiFi, etc. communication technologies.

[0045] The system 1 may comprise an energy management system or module (EMS) 101, comprising processing circuitry configured for overseeing operations of the unit 100a and the master module 100a-l. The EMS 101 is located in the master module 100a-l. The EMS 101 may be configured for performing exemplary operations such as controlling flow of electrical energy, and power in the entire hub 100a, manage communication interfaces with internal and external modules within the hub 100a, manage communications with the consumers e.g. the EVs 117 connected to the hub 100a, manage communication with the grid networks 2a-2c, access external networks 20, real time or historical energy market data, obtain weather forecast information from the external networks 20, obtain grid capacity information, obtain real time electricity prices from the external networks and so forth.

[0046] The system 1 may further comprise data storage module 102 including a memory which may be configured for storing data, communicating with the EMS, communicating with designated data analysis and processing engines 103. The data storage module 102 may also comprise or utilize processing circuitry of the EMS for communicating and data processing with a debiting module 104 which may be implemented locally in each hub such as in the mater module 100a-l of hub 100a for handling payment operations for the users. It should be appreciated that each of the mentioned modules and components of the system 1 may comprise their respective local processing and control circuitry or all utilize a centrally-arranged computing device comprising processing circuitry. For instance, in several exemplary embodiments, the EMS will oversee the operation of the mentioned modules. The data storage module 102 may further be configured for temporarily storing all data and transmitting the stored data to a permanent storage and analysis platform such as an external central platform 105. The external central platform 105 may be in communication with or at least partly comprised in the remote server 15.

[0047] The processing circuitry may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory of the data storage module 102 to perform various embodiments of the method 600. The memory of the control system 1 can include one or more (non-transitory) computer-readable storage mediums, for storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by one or more computer processors, for example, can cause the computer processors to perform the techniques described herein. The memory optionally includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices.

[0048] The system 1 may further comprise a battery management system or module (BMS) 106 comprising the necessary hardware and / or software programs for managing operations of the one or more electricity storage modules 100a-21, 100a-31, ...., lOOa-jl, comprising one or more high capacity battery packs 300a-l - 300a-j. The operations of the BMS 106 may be managed by the EMS 101. In some embodiments, the BMS 106 may be in communication with a user interface (Ul). Even further, the system 1 may comprise a power control system or module (PCS) 107, which may be configured to be in connection to the electricity grid network such as the local grid network 2a. The operations of the PCS 107 may be controlled by the EMS 101. The PCS 107 may be configured to control the flow of electricity between the grid 2a and the system 1 including the energy hubs e.g. 100a for regulating parameters for absorbing electricity from and / or providing electricity to the grid network including the local grid network 2a. The system 1 may further comprise DC / DC charger units 108 configured for transferring electricity from the high capacity battery packs 300a-l - 300a-j and / or the grid network 2 to the consumers e.g. the EVs 117 connected to the hub 100a. The DC / DC charger units 108 may be included in all the modules, both primary and secondary, of the hub 100a. The DC / DC charger units 108 may be fast charger units. In several exemplary embodiments, each DC / DC charger unit 108 may be configured for handling electrical power levels in the order of 150kW or 300kW and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, several DC / DC units 108 may be arranged in each module. For instance, to provide a capacity of 300kW, two 150kW DC / DC units 108 may be accordingly arranged in each module of the hub 100a.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the system 1 may comprise fire control systems such as module 109 configured to transmit warning signals to the EMS 101 in instances that a component in the hub e.g. the battery packs may be overheated and requires maintenance or should be shut down for further investigations. In some embodiments, the system 1 may comprise a cooling system or air conditioning system 112 as will be described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0050] In several embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 may comprise a communication interface 110. The communication interface 110 may be a dedicated communication interface towards the grid network 2. Accordingly, the system 1 may be configured for establishing a direct communication via the dedicated communication interface 110 that may be integrated with a platform 2al of the local grid network 2a i.e. being in direct communication with the electricity grid network owner. This maybe based on exclusive rights provided by the local grid network 2a to the system 1. The exclusive rights may be valid for a predetermined or adjustable time period.

[0051] In several exemplary embodiments, the communication interface 110 may further be configured to establish communication links between the regional and / or national grid networks and / or energy marketplaces, and / or energy suppliers, etc. The communication interface 110 may be configured to communicate with the local, regional and / or national marketplaces to provide services including sell electricity, e.g. electrical power or energy, absorb excess energy, balance the electrical grid or the like.

[0052] In several aspects and embodiments, the system 1 comprises processing circuitry which is configured to transmit, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network. As mentioned earlier, the an electrical grid network 2 may comprise the local, regional, and / or national grid network 2a - 2c, wherein the system 1 is configured to be in communication with for delivering respective services and functions. The processing circuitry may be comprised in the EMS 101 or may at least partly be implemented in the remote server 15. The processing circuitry is further configured to obtain, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network 2a responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication. Further, the processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network. Accordingly, the processing circuitry is configured to identify, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network 2a, an action associated with the electricity delivery system 1 to be performed by the electricity delivery system 1. In several aspects and embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 may be a system 1 for charging electrical vehicles such as an electricity charging station.

[0053] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry may be further configured for establishing a direct communication via the dedicated communication interface 110 integrated with the platform 2al of the local grid network 2a. The processing circuitry may be configured for transmitting the accessibility indication to the platform 2al of the local grid network 2a via the dedicated communication interface 110. The accessibility indication may comprise a check-in event initiated by the dedicated communication interface, the check-in event comprising a check-in message to be transmitted to the local grid network 2a. In some embodiments, the check-in event may be initiated by the EMS 101 of the system 1.

[0054] In the present context, the accessibility indication is to be construed as the accessibility and availability of the local grid network 2a for distributing electricity to the one or more energy hubs 100a - lOOn. Stated differently, the system 1 will place inquiries in form of bidding requests which may be comprised in and transmitted by the check-in messages to the local grid network 2a. The check-in messages will confirm with the local grid network 2a whether there is distribution capacity available from the local grid network 2a and accessible by the system 1 and one or more units 100a - lOOn. accordingly, in several embodiments the check-in messages may comprise an accessibility (continuation of service) inquiry from the local grid network 2a. in several embodiments, the obtained accessibility notification may comprise a command and / or an indication of a particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network 2a. In other words, the local grid network 2a transmits to the system 1 a command indicating specific actions or comprising specific information regarding the grid status. Furthermore, the local grid network 2a may provide the current or future distribution capacity of the local grid 2a to the system 1. In several aspects and embodiments, the processing circuitry may be further configured for determining that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network 2a has a first value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network falling below a first threshold value. The capacity value of the grid network herein may comprise power and / or energy and / or transport capacity of the grid network. In some examples the capacity value may be a value that would cause the local grid network to be incapable of providing capacity or a value decided by the local grid as indicating the grid capacity entering a critical state, thus primitively compensating for a capacity shortage by instructing the electricity delivery system 1 to stop taking electricity from the grid 2a. The first threshold value may be a predetermined value or may be determined dynamically based on the available capacity e.g. at the time of determining the accessibility parameter of the local grid network. The processing circuitry may calculate the accessibility parameter based on the information received from the local grid network 2a, which in some instances may comprise a threshold value (predetermined or dynamically calculated) that is the ultimate boundary of availability of the grid capacity to be accessed by the system 1. Accordingly, when the system 1 calculates and determines that the grid capacity (either current capacity or future capacity e.g. calculated for a predetermined duration) will fall below the capacity limit, various actions may be performed by the system 1. Even further, the command comprised in the notification may include a pause command sent by the grid network 2a indicating that the electricity delivery system should halt electricity absorption from the local grid network 1. Based on the above exemplary determinations, the accessibility parameter may be assigned a first value by the system 1. For instance, the first value may be labelled "00" indicating "grid not-accessible". In response to the determined accessibility parameter having the first value, the identified action to be performed by the system may comprise pausing electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system 1 from the local grid network 2a. This way the system 1 releases a portion of the electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network associated with the electricity delivery system 1 to the local grid network. Pausing the electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system 1 may be performed at the PCS 107 and be managed by the EMS 101. By the terms pausing and / or halt in the present context it is meant that drawing in and take up of electricity from the local grid network 2a is paused while the system 1 and the respective components such as the PCS 107 remain connected to the local grid network 2a for the next possible instance of reinstating the energy absorption when the requirements to do so are fulfilled e.g. when the peak hour is passed or when the local grid 2a transmits commands to indicate accessibility. In some exemplary embodiments, the accessibility and resuming of electricity uptake from the local grid network 2a may be based on determination of an updated first value for the accessibility parameter.

[0055] Conversely, the first value may be labelled "01" indicating "grid still accessible" indicating that the system 1 and the one or more energy units 100a - lOOn may continue absorbing energy from the local network 2a. It is apparent to the skilled person that the above values set to the accessibility parameter are exemplary values and the first value may be any appropriate value decided by the processing circuitry indicative of a certain status of the grid network and resulting in a specific action by the system 1.

[0056] In some embodiments, the transmission of accessibility indication and obtaining accessibility notification having a command to halt the electricity absorption may exclusively interfaced with the local grid network, whereas delivery of power may be for both regional and local grid networks. In some embodiments, the regional and national grid networks may be exclusively contacted for providing services such as balancing and selling excess electricity and absorbing energy. In some embodiments, the process of providing bidding requests and receiving accessibility notifications from the local grid network 2a may be based on exclusive agreements between the grid owner and the system 1 and be valid for a predetermined or adjustable period of time e.g. for 2% of daytime or for 1 hour or for 30 minutes, etc. per day and per annum.

[0057] In some embodiments, the accessibility indication may be transmitted to the local grid network 2a- continuously. For instance, the accessibility indication may be transmitted to the local grid network 2a in particular time periods such as time intervals, e.g. every 1 hour, every 30 minutes, every 5 minutes, every 1 minute and so forth. The time intervals may be modified and updated dynamically and adaptively based on the response received from the local grid network 2a. The particular time periods or time intervals may be predetermined time periods. For instance, in some embodiments in response to the transmitted accessibility indication, the obtained accessibility notification may include a command indicating that the electricity delivery system may continue to absorb a particular amount of electricity from the grid 2a for a particular period of time. The particular amount or time period may be a default value e.g. 150kW or 300kW to be absorbed from the local grid network 2a for a period of 1 hour. Thus, the electricity delivery system 1 may transmit the accessibility indication in an hourly time intervals. However, in some embodiments, the obtained accessibility notification may include a command indicating different amounts of power or energy or time periods than the default values mentioned above that the electricity delivery system 1 is allowed to absorb electricity from the grid 2a. Accordingly, the electricity delivery system 1 may adaptively adjust the time intervals of transmitting the accessibility indication. For instance, every 30 minutes, every 10 minutes, every 5 minutes, every 1 minute, every 30 s and so on, until receiving a pause command from the local grid 2a indicating the absorption of electricity by the electricity delivery system has to stop. It should be appreciated that any suitable time intervals other than the above mentioned may be implemented based on the intended applications and system and electricity network requirements.

[0058] In some embodiments, the pause command may include a predetermined period of time for which the electricity delivery system 1 has to halt the electricity absorption.

[0059] Accordingly, aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure provide advantages of installing managed (also referred to as smart) electricity delivery units 100a - lOOn in areas that the local grid network 2a will not normally allow installation of electricity delivery units such as conventional charging containers or vehicle charging stations due to lack or shortage of infrastructure and distribution capacity. This is outlined in an exemplary graph of Fig. 2 illustrating a relationship between the available power and capacity of a grid network such as the local grid network 2a on a time scale of 24 hours. The dashed line 50 illustrates the available and accessible capacity in the local grid network 2a i.e. the amount of power that the grid infrastructure such as a cable network is capable of transporting. The graph curve 51 illustrates the normal power usage by the electricity consumers e.g. in a geographical area during the 24-hour timeline. The power usage curve may typically have two maxima occurring during the morning 52 or evening 53 peak hours as shown on the time axis. Assuming a conventional electricity delivery system being connected to the local grid e.g. in the same geographical area, a surge in power demand will occur as shown by the graph curve 54, wherein the conventional electricity delivery system will absorb electricity from the local grid 2a surpassing the grid capacity 50. This in turn will overload the grid network 2a. Therefore, the conventional electricity delivery system will not be allowed to be installed in that geographical area until corresponding grid capacity is installed and is operational. On the contrary, the proposed electricity delivery system 1 and units 100a- lOOn, when installed, do not generate a burden for the local grid 2a by locking in and consuming a portion of distribution capacity at the times of such capacity shortage. For instance, when the exemplary power usage curve of Fig. 2 reaches or approaches the power peak hour such as power peak point 55, the proposed electricity delivery system 1, will according to several embodiments and aspects herein, halt absorption of electricity from the local grid 2a, thus releasing capacity back to the grid 2a. Even further, the system 1 and the hubs 100a - lOOn will still be operational and deliver electricity to the grid 2a or the consumers provisioned from the electricity storage modules of the hubs. This way the electricity storage and delivery hubs 100a - lOOn according to the present disclosure not only will be allowed to be installed in areas facing grid capacity issues, but will also support the grid network 2a accordingly.

[0060] In several embodiments, the system 1 may be further configured for providing electricity, stored in the one or more electricity storage modules 100a-ll, 100a-21, 100a-31, ...., lOOa-jl of the electricity delivery system, to the local grid network 2a based on the command comprised in the obtained accessibility notification including a request for electricity e.g. electrical power or energy to be provided to the local grid network. Stated differently, the installed electricity delivery system 1 and units 100a- lOOn are configured to support the local grid network 2a by delivering the stored electricity e.g. surplus electricity stored in the storage module and battery packs of the hubs 100a - lOOn to the local grid network 2a. The electricity may be absorbed and stored in the storage modules in times of low demand and abundance of distribution capacity, electrical power and energy at the local grid network 2a. Here the provided electricity may be the surplus electricity over the electricity needs of the delivery system 1 itself for a predetermined time period e.g. excess energy over the needs of a fully connected delivery system for charging all the connected electrical vehicles for 1 hour. It may also be the total electricity stored in the battery packs of the one or more units 100a- lOOn of the system 1 for a predetermined period of time. The amount of power or energy to be delivered in some embodiments may be determined based on the obtained command and request from the grid network 2a requesting a specific amount of power / energy in relation to the availability of the amount of stored electricity in the storage modules of the electricity delivery system 1. In some embodiments, the check-in message in the request command may comprise a time schedule e.g. a predetermined time of day or night and / or a predetermined period of time during which the electricity delivery system 1 may be capable and adapted to provide the requested electricity to the grid network.

[0061] In some exemplary embodiments, the system 1 may be further configured for determining that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a second value based on the obtained accessibility notification. The obtained accessibility notification may comprise the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network exceeding a second threshold value and / or the command including an absorb command. The absorb command may propose to the electricity delivery system to absorb, from the local grid network, a surplus electricity associated with a surplus electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network. This way the system 1 further supports the electrical grid network 2 including the local grid 2a by taking up surplus of energy which has been produced at certain time and is available for distribution but surpasses the electricity needs of the consumers at a certain time point or for a certain duration. The second threshold may be decided by the local grid network. The second threshold may have a value indicating the grid capacity reaching a surplus and when such surplus is determined to have been reached, the electricity delivery system 1 may receive a command instructing / proposing the electricity delivery system 1 to absorb surplus capacity. This way, when e.g. the local grid 2a for a certain geographical location has a surplus of distribution capacity, that extra capacity can be advantageous absorbed and stored for later use at the one or more energy units 100a - lOOn or to be returned to the local grid 2a when needed. Similarly, the second value may be assigned an exemplary label such as "10" indicating "grid has surplus - absorb" indicating that the system 1 and the one or more energy units 100a - lOOn may absorb the excess electricity from the local grid network 2a. In response to the determined accessibility parameter having the second value, the identified action may comprises enhancing, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network and thereby increasing absorption of electricity from the local grid network. By the term enhancing herein it is meant increasing or elevating the electricity absorption.

[0062] In several embodiments, the increase may be based on an indicated amount and / or for an indicated predetermined or specified period of time, time interval, specific time of day / night etc. specified in the received command from the local grid network 2a. In some embodiments however, the mentioned parameters may be determined by the electricity delivery system 1 based on the available resources e.g. storage modules or battery packs in the system 1. In some exemplary embodiments, this may be based on conditions of the system 1 e.g. if a unit of the one or more hubs 100a - lOOn is in maintenance it may not accept the request or may schedule it for a later time.

[0063] In several embodiments, the amount of excess electricity to be absorbed form the grid network 2a may be determined based on the storage capacity available in the electricity delivery system 1. In some embodiments one or more electricity delivery units 100a - lOOn arranged in different geographical locations and in communication with the electricity delivery system 1 may be instructed to absorb respective portions of the determined amount of the excess electricity capacity form the grid network depending on the respective available storage capacity in the respective delivery units 100a - lOOn.

[0064] In some embodiments, the electricity absorption from the grid may be determined for a predetermined period of time or in predetermined time intervals e.g. every 1 or 2 or 10 minutes or so.

[0065] In some embodiments the action may include electricity delivery system initiating a check-in event by transmitting a check-in message to the local grid network indicating a refusal of the absorption proposal command by the grid network. This may be due to unavailability of the storage capacity in the system 1 or e.g. technical maintenance or planned operations of the electricity delivery system 1. In some embodiments, the check-in message may instead comprise the determined amount of power / energy that the electricity delivery system 1 may be capable of absorbing in case of disparity with the amount proposed by the local grid 2a. In some embodiments, the check-in message may comprise a time schedule e.g. a predetermined time of day or night and / or a predetermined period of time during which the electricity delivery system 1 may be capable and adapted to absorb excess electricity from the grid network.

[0066] Even though the above functions and operations and performed actions by the system 1 has been mainly described with respect to the local grid network 2a, it should be appreciated that the regional and / or national grid networks 2b, 2c may accordingly benefit from the provided functionalities and advantages such as support services by providing stored electricity from the system 1 to the regional / national grids 2b, 2c or absorption of excess electricity thereof by the system 1.

[0067] In several aspects and embodiments, the system may comprise transmitting, to the regional 2b and / or national grid network 2c, a respective inquiry, wherein the inquiry may comprise a check-in message. The check-in message may be indicative of availability of a support function to be provided for the electrical grid network by the electricity delivery system 1. The system 1 may obtain, from the regional and / or national grid network, the respective inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response may comprise a notification indicative of a network status associated with the support function. In other words, commands and network status information may be received from the regional / national grid networks indicating if a service should be provided to these networks or availability of a service associated with these networks may be acknowledged. It means the TSO 2b, 2c may indicate the status of being in need of the support functions to be provided or that the TSO 2b, 2c does not need the support function at the moment. Thus the notification may further comprise a command, including a delivery schedule or type of service (support function) or amount needed by the TSOs 2b, 2c e.g. amount of requested power or a permission to sell excess energy in the marketplaces. In some embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 may receive or obtain (e.g. periodically or in time intervals, or continuously) the inquiries from the TSOs and in response transmit the check-in message indicative of availability of a particular service, amount, a delivery time plan and so forth.

[0068] As mentioned above, the support function may be similar to the functions provided to the local grid network 2a. However, in some exemplary embodiments some functions and support services may be only available or designated for the regional / national grid networks (TSOs) 2b, 2c. The designated services may include exemplary services such as selling electricity, e.g. electrical power or energy in electricity marketplaces, absorbing the excess energy, balancing the electrical grid or the like.

[0069] In some exemplary embodiments, indication of accessible grid capacity e.g. the accessibility parameter may be dynamically determined by the system 1 based on historical data and / or predictions of both capacity shortage and abundance e.g. based on consumer behavior pattern or peak hour predictions. In some exemplary embodiments, trained machine learning algorithms may be utilized for such predictions.

[0070] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit 100a according to several aspects and embodiments. The unit 100a is configured to be installed in urban areas providing electricity delivery services to the consumers and / or the grid network 2. The electricity storage and delivery unit 100a comprises a compact and space-efficient configuration compared to conventional bulky solutions requiring construction sites, specifically planned installation foundations and dedicated grid connections for each module in the container. On the contrary the presented modular solution is completely portable and compact and can be installed in areas where there is a shortage of installation spaces. Furthermore, the presented modular system is adapted for city and urban areas where specific urban design standards must be followed and conventional bulky containers may not be allowed to be installed. In addition, another advantage is provided by the modular solutions herein, thanks to the compact design of the hubs adapted for urban areas, pedestrians and passersby 120 are provisioned with seating and resting spaces. The housing 111 of the modular units 100a - lOOn is adapted as outdoor benches and when installed in the urban areas like parks and parking lots provides the sitting possibility to the passersby as shown in Fig. 3. All the components including power electronics, storage modules, several battery packs and the like are arranged in the proposed compact modular hubs. In several embodiments, the hubs 100a - lOOn may have exemplary height profiles e.g. 500 mm, 600 mm, 700 mm, 800 mm and so forth adapted for the hubs to be used as outdoor benches. Accordingly, proper thermal isolations, insulations (not specifically shown) and safety measures are applied to the housing 111 of the units in order to turn each hub 100a - lOOn into an outdoor bench safely usable by the users 120. An exemplary modular network 200 of one or more decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery units 100a - lOOn is shown in Fig. 4, wherein the master module 100a comprises the AC / DC converter grid connection, while the other secondary modules simply can be coupled to the master modules without the need for installation of respective infrastructure and grid connections. Accordingly, the modular system can be readily scaled up by adding additional modules on demand for increasing the delivery capacity of each hub. Similarly, modules may also be removed from a hub e.g. for maintenance reasons without disrupting the operation of that hub 100a - lOOn. Fig. 4 also depicts the compact arrangement of the high capacity battery packs in the energy storage modules e.g. in the exemplary energy storage module 100a-ll in hub 100a. The energy storage modules e.g. the exemplary modules 100a-ll, 100a-21, 100a- 31, 100a-41 in Fig. 3, may also be referred to as battery cabinets, comprising the battery packs, cooling fans and air conditioning or any other required component. As shown in examples of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, each module (e.g. each module of the exemplary hub 100a having 4 modules 100a-l, 100a-2, 100a, 3 and 100a-4 in Fig. 3) may have a respective DC / DC charger cabinet 108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-4 and one or two or three or any appropriate number of piles 115-1, 115-2, 115-3, 115-4 configured for installation of one or more charging guns 116. In this example, the primary module 100a-l has a footprint of 5000 x 1000 x 700 mm, battery packs of 125 kWh, a bipolar inverter at 300kW including bidirectional power input and output, a DC / DC charger at 150kW. The secondary modules 100a-2, 100a-3, 100a-4 each have exemplary dimensions of 2500 x 1000 x 700 mm, battery packs of 125kWh and a DC / DC charger at 150kW.

[0071] In some exemplary embodiments the modular unit 100a - lOOn may comprise cooling systems for regulating operational temperatures of the units. Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary cooling system 112 configured for regulating an operational temperature of a compact battery cabinet e.g. battery cabinet 100a-ll comprising one or more high capacity battery packs 300a-l. The cooling system 112 may also be configured for regulating the internal temperature of the power electronics e.g. the AC / DC inverter unit 113, or transformer 114 or DC / DC charging cabinets 108 in the hub e.g. in the master module 100a-l. The cooling system 112 may in some examples have two parts, part one 112a being configured for regulating the power electronics and components other than the battery pack and part two 112b configured for regulating the temperature of the battery packs. The cooling system 112 may in several embodiments comprise air ducts 112a, 112b, 112b-l, 112b-2, 112b-3 for transporting cooling air flow to the respective components. The air ducts may be connected to and in communication with cooling systems such as a HVAC system e.g. HVAC system 112a-l for the part one 112a or 112b-5 for the part two 112b arranged in the modules. In some embodiments however, only one HVAC system may be installed for the different parts of the cooling system within the module 100a-l. The air ducts on the part two 112b, in this example comprises three air duct canals 112b-l, 112b-2, 112b-3 connected to a main inlet 112b-0 which in turn is configured to be connectable to the HVAC system 112b-5. It should be appreciated that any number of air ducts may be used instead of three air ducts leading up to the vicinity of the battery packs. Each air duct 112b-l, 112b-2, 112b-3 comprises outlet vents such as exemplary outlet vent 112b-4. The outlet vents are arranged to correspond to respective battery packs of the one or more battery packs 300a-l in the battery cabinet. In some embodiments, one outlet duct may be arranged to be associated with and cover more than one battery pack. The cooling airflow is directed toward each battery pack from the outlet vents for regulating the operational temperature of the battery packs. In several embodiments, the outlet vents e.g. outlet vent 112b-4 may comprises vent covers which may be slide covers such as slide covers 112b-41, 112b-42 arranged in closed and opened positions respectively. The slide covers 112b-41, 112b-42 can be adjusted to change the size of the corresponding outlet vent 112b-4 and thus allow different volumes of airflow to exit the outlet vents. In some examples, the covers of the outlet vents arranged closer to the distal portion of the air ducts such as the outlet vent 112b-4 may be opened wider than the ones arranged closer to the main inlet e.g. 112b-0 in order to compensate for the varying distances of the battery packs. This way a balanced amount of cooling airflow is delivered to every one of the battery packs in the battery cabinet 100a-ll. In some exemplary embodiments, the battery packs may also be provided with an internal cooling system (not specifically shown) to boost cooling efficiency. In some exemplary embodiments, alternatively or additionally, other cooling systems and solutions may be employed, e.g. each battery pack may comprise its own designated cooling system.

[0072] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a computer-implemented method 600 according to various embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure. The computer-implemented method 600 is performed by an electricity delivery system 1. In several exemplary embodiments, the electricity delivery system 1 may be a system 1 for charging electrical vehicles and configured to operate and control of charging stations comprising modular energy hubs as presented herein. The method 600 comprises transmitting 601, to an electrical grid network 2 comprising a local grid network 2a, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network 2a. The method further comprises obtaining 603, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network 2a responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication. Further, the method comprises determining 605, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network. The method further comprises, identifying 607, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network, an action associated with the electricity delivery system 1 to be performed by the electricity delivery system.

[0073] All the elements, features, and advantages explained in relation to the other aspects and embodiments such as the system 1 and the modular hubs 100a - lOOn also apply analogously to this aspect of the present disclosure.

[0074] In some embodiments the method 600 may further comprise establishing 609 a direct communication via a dedicated communication interface 110 integrated with a platform 2al of the local grid network 2a. The method may further comprise transmitting 611 the accessibility indication to the platform of the local grid network via the dedicated communication interface. The accessibility indication may comprise a check-in event initiated by the dedicated communication interface, the check-in event comprising a check-in message to be transmitted to the local grid network. In some embodiments, the check-in event may be initiated by the EMS 101 of the system 1. In several embodiments, the obtained accessibility notification may comprise a command and / or an indication of a particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network.

[0075] In several embodiments, the method may further comprise determining 613 that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a first value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network falling below a first threshold value. Additionally or alternatively, the method may further comprise determining 615 that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a first value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the command including a pause command indicating that the electricity delivery system should halt electricity absorption from the local grid network. In response to the determined accessibility parameter having the first value, the identified action may comprise pausing 617, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network. Thereby the method may comprise releasing 619 a portion of the electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network associated with the electricity delivery system to the local grid network.

[0076] Even further in some embodiments, the identified action may further comprise providing electricity, stored in one or more electricity storage modules 100a-ll - lOOa-jl of the electricity delivery system 1, to the local grid network 2a based on the command comprised in the obtained accessibility notification including a request for electricity to be provided to the local grid network. The request for electricity to be provided to the local grid network may comprise request for power at a certain time point or request for energy over a certain duration of time.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise determining 621 that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a second value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network exceeding a second threshold value. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may further comprise determining 623 that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has the second value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the command including an absorb command proposing to the electricity delivery system to absorb, from the local grid network, a surplus electricity associated with a surplus electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network. In response to the determined accessibility parameter having the second value, the identified action may comprise enhancing 625, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network; thereby increasing 627 absorption of electricity from the local grid network. In some embodiments, the increased absorption may be gradually distributed over a certain duration of time or may be absorption of electrical power at one or more certain time points.

[0078] According to several exemplary embodiments, the electrical grid network 2 may further comprise a regional 2b and / or national 2c grid network. The method may further comprise transmitting 629, to the regional and / or national grid network, a respective inquiry, wherein the inquiry may comprise a check-in message indicative of availability of a support function to be provided for the electrical grid network by the electricity delivery system. The method may further comprise obtaining 631, from the regional and / or national grid network, the respective inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response may comprise a notification indicative of a network status associated with the support function. The services to be provided to the local 2a, regional 2b and / or national 2c grid networks may comprise ancillary services including balancing services i.e. frequency reserve services. In the electricity grid networks, frequency is normally at 50 Hz and if at some point it deviates from the normal 50Hz, the systems and methods herein are configured to support the grid networks with the possibility of stabilizing the frequency again.

[0079] The ancillary services may further include power volume services, wherein upon shortage in electricity production, electrical power stored in the storage modules of the decentralized hubs 100a - lOOn may be sold in energy markets and accordingly delivered to the grid networks.

[0080] The ancillary services may further include capacity services, wherein absorbing electricity from the grid network is paused according to several aspects and embodiments described herein. In some exemplary embodiments, only use the electrical energy and power stored in the battery packs of the hubs 100a - lOOn may be utilized as explained in detail earlier.

[0081] Executable instructions for performing the above functions and features of the embodiments of the methods may, optionally, be included in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or other computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors of the processing circuitry.

[0082] More specifically, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the electricity delivery system, causes the one or more processors to carry out the method according to any one of the embodiments of the method 600 according to this disclosure. The computer-readable storage medium may be a computer program carrier that may be one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or a computer-readable storage medium.

[0083] Even further, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors of the electricity delivery system, causes the one or more processors to carry out the method according to any one of the embodiments of the method 600 according to this disclosure.

[0084] The present disclosure has been presented above with reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than the above described are possible and within the scope of the disclosure. Different method steps than those described above, performing the method by hardware or software, may be provided within the scope of the disclosure.

[0085] For instance, according to an exemplary embodiment a cloud computing system 20 can be configured to perform any one of or any combination of the embodiments of the method 600 presented herein. The cloud computing system may comprise distributed cloud computing resources that jointly perform the methods presented herein under control of one or more computer program products.

[0086] The processor(s) (associated with the control system 1) may be or include any number of hardware components for conducting data or signal processing or for executing computer code stored in memory 102. The system 1 may have an associated memory, and the memory may be one or more devices for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various methods described in the present description. The memory may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The memory may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities of the present description. According to an exemplary embodiment, any distributed or local memory device may be utilized with the systems and methods of this description. According to an exemplary embodiment the memory is communicably connected to the processors (e.g., via a circuit or any other wired, wireless, or network bus connection) and includes computer code for executing one or more of processes described herein.

[0087] As used herein, the term "if" may be construed to mean "when or "upon" or "in response to determining or "in response to detecting" depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined' or "when it is determined" may be construed to mean "upon determining or "in response to determining" or "upon detecting and identifying occurrence of an event" or "in response to detecting occurrence of an event" depending on the context. The term "obtaining" is herein to be interpreted broadly and encompasses receiving, retrieving, collecting, acquiring, and so forth directly and / or indirectly between two entities configured to be in communication with each other or with other external entities.

[0088] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the disclosure may be at least in part implemented by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means" or "units" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0089] It will also be understood that, although the term first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or features, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first signal could be termed a second signal, and, similarly, a second signal could be termed a first signal, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The first signal and the second signal are both signals, but they are not the same signal.

[0090] Although the figures may show a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted. In addition, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps and decision steps. The above mentioned and described embodiments are only given as examples and should not be limiting to the present disclosure. Other solutions, uses, objectives, and functions within the scope of the disclosure as claimed in the below described patent embodiments should be apparent for the person skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A computer-implemented method performed by an electricity delivery system, the method comprising: transmitting, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network; obtaining, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication; determining, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network; and identifying, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network, an action associated with the electricity delivery system to be performed by the electricity delivery system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: establishing a direct communication via a dedicated communication interface integrated with a platform of the local grid network; and transmitting the accessibility indication to the platform of the local grid network via the dedicated communication interface; wherein the accessibility indication comprises a check-in event initiated by the dedicated communication interface, the check-in event comprising a check-in message to be transmitted to the local grid network.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the obtained accessibility notification comprises a command and / or an indication of a particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: determining that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a first value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network falling below a first threshold value and / or the command including a pause command indicating that the electricity delivery system should halt electricity absorption from the local grid network;wherein in response to the determined accessibility parameter having the first value, the identified action comprises: pausing, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network; thereby releasing a portion of the electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network associated with the electricity delivery system to the local grid network.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the identified action further comprises: providing electricity, stored in one or more electricity storage modules of the electricity delivery system, to the local grid network based on the command comprised in the obtained accessibility notification including a request for electricity to be provided to the local grid network.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: determining that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a second value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network exceeding a second threshold value and / or the command including an absorb command proposing to the electricity delivery system to absorb, from the local grid network, a surplus electricity associated with a surplus electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network; wherein in response to the determined accessibility parameter having the second value, the identified action comprises: enhancing, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network; thereby increasing absorption of electricity from the local grid network.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical grid network further comprises a regional and / or national grid network; and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, to the regional and / or national grid network, a respective inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises a check-in message indicative of availability of a support function to be provided for the electrical grid network by the electricity delivery system; obtaining, from the regional and / or national grid network, the respective inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises a notification indicative of a network status associated with the support function.

8. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the electricity delivery system, causes the one or more processors to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 - 7.

9. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by one or more processors of the electricity delivery system, causes the one or more processors to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 - 7.

10. An electricity delivery system for delivering electricity to one or more electricity consumers, wherein the system comprises processing circuitry configured to: transmit, to an electrical grid network comprising a local grid network, an inquiry, wherein the inquiry comprises an accessibility indication transmitted to the local grid network; obtain, from the electrical grid network, an inquiry response, wherein the inquiry response comprises an accessibility notification obtained from the local grid network responsive to the transmitted accessibility indication; determine, based on the obtained accessibility notification, an accessibility parameter of the local grid network; and identify, based on the determined accessibility parameter of the local grid network, an action associated with the electricity delivery system to be performed by the electricity delivery system.

11. The electricity delivery system according to claim 11, wherein the electricity delivery system further comprises a dedicated communication interface integrated with a platform of the local grid network; and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: establish a direct communication via the dedicated communication interface integrated with the platform of the local grid network; and transmit the accessibility indication to the platform of the local grid network via the dedicated communication interface; wherein the accessibility indication comprises a check-in event initiated by the dedicated communication interface, the check-in event comprising a check-in message to be transmitted to the local grid network.

12. The electricity delivery system according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the obtained accessibility notification comprises a command and / or an indication of a particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network.

13. The electricity delivery system according to claim 12, wherein the electricity delivery system further comprises a power control system and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a first value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network falling below a first threshold value and / or the command including a pause command indicating that the electricity delivery system should halt electricity absorption from the local grid network; wherein in response to the determined accessibility parameter having the first value, the processing circuitry is further configured to carry out the identified action comprising pausing, at the power control system, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network; thereby releasing a portion of the electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network associated with the electricity delivery system to the local grid network.

14. The electricity delivery system according to claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine that the accessibility parameter of the local grid network has a second value based on the obtained accessibility notification comprising the indication of the particular electricity distribution capacity value of the local grid network exceeding a second threshold value and / or the command including an absorb command proposing to the electricity delivery system to absorb, from the local grid network, a surplus electricity associated with a surplus electricity distribution capacity of the local grid network; wherein in response to the determined accessibility parameter having the second value, the processing circuitry is further configured to carry out the identified action comprising enhancing, an electricity absorption of the electricity delivery system from the local grid network; thereby increasing absorption of electricity from the local grid network.

15. A decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery unit comprised in an electricity delivery system according to any one of claims 10 - 14, wherein the modular unit comprises: a primary electricity delivery module comprising an electricity delivery management module, and a respective electricity storage module; wherein the electricity delivery management module comprises a connection to a local grid network; and wherein the respective electricity storage module comprises one or more high capacity battery packs configured for storage and / or delivery of electricity;one or more secondary electricity delivery modules comprising one or more secondary electricity storage modules, wherein each secondary electricity storage module comprises one or more high capacity battery packs; and wherein the one or more secondary electricity delivery modules are configured to be connectable to and in communication with the primary electricity delivery module.

16. A decentralized modular electricity storage and delivery network comprising one or more electricity storage and delivery units according to claim 15.

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