Patent ID: 8738268

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a power distribution grid comprising a plurality of power sources and a plurality of distribution buses configured to distribute power from the plurality of power sources, wherein the plurality of power sources include: an engine-driven power source configured to provide first power, the first power having first power characteristics; a plurality of engine-independent power sources including: a first alternate power source configured to provide first alternate power, the first alternate power having first alternate power characteristics that are different than the first power characteristics; and a second alternate power source configured to provide second alternate power, the second alternate power having second alternate power characteristics that are different from the first power characteristics and different from the first alternate power characteristics; and a global controller that sends power control signals to control first total output power of the first alternate power source, second total output power of the second alternate power source, and a third total output power of the engine-driven power source supplied to the plurality of distribution buses responsive to demand on the power distribution grid.