Device for testing charging stations and systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for testing charging stations (L1), comprising: • a connection for receiving electrical energy (E) from a charging station (L1) to be tested; • a connection for outputting electrical energy (A); • a device for simulating (BS) a plurality of load points (P1, P2, ... PN); • wherein the device for simulating (BS) makes at least one subset (PU...PO) of the plurality of load points (P1, P2, ... PN) available to the connection for receiving electrical energy (E) during operation as a function of a test protocol; • wherein the device further comprises a communication module (I / O1) for communicating with a charging station (L1) to be tested in order to identify the device as a load to be charged. The invention further relates to a system comprising such a device, as well as a device for energy measurement (EM), and a control unit (PC).

Description

BackgroundCharging stations and their components are tested for their functionality in the field. This relates, inter alia, to the electricity meter. Specifically, the electricity meter must be checked in a certain predetermined turnus. Such checks are also required after a re-operation of a charging column in the field. The function must be detected at specific working points / charging powers. This represents a corresponding problem in the field, since charging powers, for example >50 kW, have to be represented.In addition, the dissipation of the energy represents a technical challenge.Independently of this, however, the energy consumption is also problematic overall.Prior ArtA specific solution is not yet described at present. However, there are various crude proposals.Thus, it would be possible, for example, to charge a specific e-vehicle and thus to make it possible to drive along a charging curve by means of specific charging. However, this is not easily possible since the vehicle must have reached a specific discharge state for this purpose. In addition, with such an arrangement, only a relatively delimited loading profile can be measured. In particular in the case of DC charging stations, this is not permitted by the calibration authorities, since measurement at different charging voltages is required there. A further problem which arises is that such an approach is unsuitable for larger charging parks, since when the vehicle is charged it can only be used again after a corresponding discharge. Furthermore, no reproducible tests are possible (e.g. due to aging of the vehicle battery and, e.g., charge cycle-dependent change in the battery properties) and no accelerated tests (real electrochemical process of the battery and thus corresponding charging time). In addition, the supply of a chargeable electric vehicle is expensive to obtain.However, it would also be possible to use an (adjustable) ohmic load. However, much energy would be converted into heat unused.It is also discussed that the virtual performance is used for meter checking. However, in this case, an exact statement about the functionality of the counter and the fast charging function is not possible, since the power flow does not take place.Proceeding from this, it is an object of the invention to provide a device or a system which is firstly cost-effective in obtaining, flexible in measuring different charging stations and additionally more energy-efficient than the solutions to date.Summary of the InventionThe object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 or a system according to claim 8, and further advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the description, the figures and the dependent claims.Summary of the FiguresThe invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows an exemplary schematic configuration of an apparatus according to the invention in accordance with aspects of an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 shows an exemplary schematic configuration of a device according to the invention in accordance with further aspects of an embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows an exemplary logic configuration of a device according to the invention in accordance with aspects of an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe invention will be illustrated in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that different aspects are described, which can be used individually or in combination. That is, any aspect may be used with various embodiments of the invention, unless explicitly shown as a mere alternative.Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, only one entity will normally be referred to below. If not explicitly stated, however, the invention can also have in each case a plurality of the entities concerned. In this respect, the use of the words "a", "an" and "an" is to be understood only as an indication that at least one entity is used in a simple embodiment.Insofar as methods are described below, the individual steps of a method can be arranged and / or combined in any order, unless the context explicitly reveals some variation. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the methods can be combined with one another.Details with numerical values are generally not to be understood as exact values, but also include a tolerance of + / - 1% up to + / - 10%.In this application, as far as standards, specifications or the like are designated, the standards, specifications or the like applicable on the filing date are at least always referred to. That is, if a norm / specification, etc., is updated or replaced by a successor, the invention is also applicable thereto.In one embodiment of the invention, a device 1 for testing (DC voltage) charging stations L 1 is provided. The device 1 has a connection for receiving electrical energy E from a (DC voltage) charging column L 1 to be tested. The charging column L 1 can be both a DC voltage charging column and an AC voltage charging column.Furthermore, the device 1 has a connection for delivering electrical energy A.In addition, the apparatus 1 has a device for simulating BS a plurality of load points P 1, P 2,... P N wherein the device for simulating BS has at least one subset P U... P O of the plurality of load points P 1, P 2,... in operation in comparison with the connection for receiving electrical energy E as a function of a test protocol. P provides N. Here, assume that P 1< P 2<... P N-1< P N and P 1 ≤P U, P U< P O and P O ≤P N hold.The device 1 further comprises a communication module I / O 1 for communication with a (DC voltage) charging column L 1 to be tested, in order to identify the device 1 as a load to be charged with respect to the (DC voltage) charging column L 1 to be tested.With such a device it is now possible to check a plurality of self-differing (DC voltage) charging stations directly one after the other.According to one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the device 1 further comprises an inverter WR in order to provide absorbed energy at the connection for delivering electrical energy A during operation. That is, unlike prior approaches, flexible energy may be dissipated. The inverter WR can be retrofitted in modular fashion or installed in a fixed fashion. For example, energy can thus be output as an alternating voltage into the network of an energy supplier, or alternatively or additionally energy can be provided for other devices of the apparatus 1 according to the invention or of the system with such an apparatus.In yet another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the device 1 further comprises a power converter SR in order to provide absorbed energy at the connection for delivering electrical energy (A) during operation. The power converter SR can be retrofitted in modular fashion or installed in a fixed fashion. For example, energy can thus be delivered as a DC voltage into the network of an energy supplier, or alternatively or additionally energy can be provided for other devices of the apparatus 1 according to the invention or of the system with such an apparatus.In particular, it is thus made possible by the invention not only to supply local devices with energy, but it is also made possible to feed energy back into a supply grid, but in particular also into a DC voltage or AC voltage power grid or into a DC voltage or AC voltage charging column L 2.According to one embodiment of the invention, the device 1 can furthermore have a defined load R which is configured to convert electrical energy to be emitted into thermal energy. This may be necessary, for example, if there is no other possibility of delivering energy to a consumer or feeding it back into a supply network.According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the device 1 further comprises a charging module LM for delivering energy to a consumer, such as a chargeable electric vehicle E-FZ.In a further embodiment of the invention, the device 1 further comprises a further communication module I / O 2 for communication with a charging module LM and / or a consumer for electrical energy L 2, E FZ. Alternatively or additionally, the communication module I / O 1 can be designed for communication with a (DC voltage) charging column L 1 to be tested, likewise for communication with a charging module LM and / or a consumer for electrical energy L 2, E FZ.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the control parameters for a plurality of load points P 1, P 2,... P N can be stored in a (local or remote) database DB. Examples of a local storage are, for example, a look-up table in a (rewritable) memory, a memory card or an online database from which the control parameters can be retrieved. In particular, however, it can also be provided that, for example, data of a (DC voltage) charging column L 1 to be tested, data relating to the control parameters used and the measured current / powers can also be stored again as a measurement protocol in a database (locally or remotely).In a further embodiment of the invention, a system comprising an apparatus 1 according to the invention and a device for energy measurement EM and a control unit PC is also provided.The invention can thus be incorporated into the already existing measurement technology without great effort, as a result of which it is possible to further utilize already made procurements.In one embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a consumer for electrical energy L2, E-FZ, wherein the device further comprises a charging module LM for delivering energy to a consumer.According to another embodiment of the invention, the consumer for electrical energy is a further charging column L 2 capable of being fed back, in particular a DC charging column (L 2). Likewise, the electric energy consumer can be a battery-operated vehicle E-FZ. Also, the electric power pickup may be an AC pickup. Exemplary AC loads could be e.g. the control unit PC-for example a laptop-or else a feedback into the power supply network.According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the electric energy collector can also be a direct current collector.The invention thus enables simple and cost-effective functional detection of a charging column in the field and of the electricity meter. In this case, both AC voltage charging columns and DC voltage charging columns (L 1) can be measured. Likewise, both AC voltage charging columns and DC voltage charging columns (L2) or other devices can decrease energy without having to convert it into thermal energy, as was often customary hitherto.In this case, a second charging column L 2 can be conveyed by means of the device 1 to the first charging column L 1 to be tested as a vehicle, as a result of which all test cases and operating points can be traversed.

Claims

Device for testing charging stations (L1), comprising • a connection for receiving electrical energy (E) from a charging station (L1) to be tested, • a connection for delivering electrical energy (A), • a device for simulating (BS) a plurality of load points (P 1, P 2,... PN), • wherein the device for simulating (BS) compares at least one subset (P U... P O) of the plurality of load points (P 1, P 2,... with the connection for receiving electrical energy (E) as a function of a test protocol during operation. P N) • wherein the device further comprises a communication module (I / O 1) for communication with a charging column (L1) to be tested, for identifying the device as the load to be charged.Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the device furthermore has an inverter (WR) in order to make available absorbed energy at the connection for delivering electrical energy (A) during operation.Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device furthermore has a power converter (SR) in order to make available absorbed energy at the connection for delivering electrical energy (A) during operationDevice according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further has a defined load (R) which is configured to convert electrical energy to be emitted into thermal energy.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device further comprises a charging module (LM) for delivering energy to a consumer.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized • in that the device furthermore has a further communication module (I / O 2) for communication with a charging module (LM) and / or a consumer for electrical energy (L2, E-FZ), and / or • in that the communication module (I / O 1) is designed for communication with a charging column (L1) to be tested, likewise for communication with a charging module (LM) and / or a consumer for electrical energy (L2, E-FZ).Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control parameters for a plurality of load points (P 1, P 2,... P N) are stored in a database (DB).System comprising a device according to one of the preceding claims, as well as a device for measuring energy (EM) and a control unit (PC).The system according to claim 8, characterized in that the system further comprises an electric energy consumer (L2, E-FZ), the device further comprising a charging module (LM) for delivering energy to a consumer.System according to Claim 9, characterized in that the consumer for electrical energy is a further charging column (L2) capable of being fed back, in particular a charging column (L2).The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the electric energy consumer is a battery-operated vehicle.The system of claim 9, characterized in that the electric power consumer is an AC consumer.The system according to claim 9, characterized in that the electric power consumer is a direct current consumer.

Images