Method and apparatus for managing charging transactions and loads at a charging station

Abstract

According to one embodiment, the charging of an electric vehicle is optimized by pausing charging transactions at one or more charging points and placing those charging transactions in a queue based on various parameters and priorities. Further, the maximum current for charging can be changed during an ongoing charging transaction. The optimization can be deployed remotely by a computing device. A computing device, method, and computer program are disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to electric vehicle charging stations. In particular, some exemplary embodiments of this application relate to interrupting charging transactions at one or more charging stations based on one or more parameters and priorities.

Background Art

[0002] Charging stations can be subject to load management services used to regulate the total charging current that an on-site charging station cannot exceed. The total charging current can be limited, for example, by grid connection limits, peak shaving, peak shifting, or demand side management. However, as the number of electric vehicles is increasing and the electric grid is in the midst of a transition due to more unstable production and increasing load, more flexible charging management from both the perspective of the electric grid and the user is needed.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The summary of the present invention is provided to introduce in a simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described below in the mode for carrying out the invention. The summary of the present invention does not identify the main features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] Exemplary embodiments can make it possible to interrupt active charging transactions by prioritizing some charging transactions over others based on one or more parameters and a set minimum charging current. The prioritization can further be used to determine which charging transactions are continued and in what order. Thus, the varying or fixed charging capacity can be flexibly divided among charging points so that each electric vehicle desiring to charge can be guaranteed to receive a meaningful amount of power at a meaningful time.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method performed by a computing device for managing a charging load of an electric vehicle charging station, the method comprising monitoring data regarding charging transactions obtained from a plurality of charging stations grouped into one or more load management groups; detecting a charging transaction event related to at least a charging point of the charging station; determining whether the charging transaction event causes a share of available charging capacity, which is divided among the charging points of a load management group having an active charging transaction, to decrease below a predetermined minimum current value determined for each charging point of the load management group; controlling the maximum charging current of one or more charging points to pause an active charging transaction based on one or more prioritization parameters such that a predetermined minimum current value is satisfied for the remaining charging points; determining whether the charging transaction event causes an increase in the share of available charging capacity; and controlling the maximum charging current of at least one of the charging points to reactivate a paused charging transaction based on one or more prioritization parameters such that a predetermined minimum current is satisfied for all charging stations having an active charging transaction at that time. A method is provided.

[0006] In one embodiment, the one or more prioritization parameters include the arrival time of the electric vehicle to be charged, and thus, charging transactions are first paused from one or more of the last-arriving electric vehicles and first reactivated for the first-arriving electric vehicle.

[0007] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the method includes determining a user segment associated with a charging transaction based on charging transaction data, and the one or more prioritization parameters include the user segment, and thus, charging transactions associated with a lower-priority user segment are paused first, and charging transactions associated with a higher-priority user segment are reactivated first.

[0008] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, a predetermined minimum current value is different for a higher-priority user segment and a lower-priority user segment.

[0009] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the predetermined minimum current value, the prioritization parameters, and the prioritization hierarchy are configurable by a user.

[0010] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the method further includes monitoring a change in available charging capacity based on acquired data indicating an amount of available local renewable energy, and the one or more charging transactions are paused or reactivated based on the changed available charging capacity that affects the number of charging transactions that meet a predetermined minimum current value.

[0011] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the method further includes monitoring a change in available charging capacity based on acquired data indicating the electrical consumption of other consumers, and the one or more charging transactions are paused or reactivated based on the changed available charging capacity that affects the number of charging transactions that meet a predetermined minimum current value.

[0012] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the one or more prioritization parameters include charging energy, and thus, charging transactions with the minimum charging energy are prioritized, and the method includes updating the charging transactions to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

[0013] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, one or more prioritization parameters include the battery charge state, and a charging transaction associated with an electric vehicle having the lowest battery charge state is prioritized, and the method includes updating the charging transaction to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

[0014] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, one or more prioritization parameters include a random subset of charging points in a load management group to be prioritized, and the method includes selecting another subset to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

[0015] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, one or more prioritization parameters include at least one of a scheduled departure time or a desired charge state of an electric vehicle obtained based on user input, and a charging transaction associated with at least one of an electric vehicle scheduled to depart first or an electric vehicle requiring the largest amount of energy is paused last and reactivated first.

[0016] In one embodiment, additionally or alternatively, when a charging transaction is associated with two or more load management groups, the maximum charging current for the charging transaction is controlled based on the lowest determined value.

[0017] According to a second aspect, monitoring data regarding charging transactions obtained from a plurality of charging stations grouped into one or more load management groups, detecting charging transaction events from at least charging points of the charging stations, determining whether the charging transaction event causes a share of available charging capacity divided among charging points of a group having an active charging transaction to decrease below a predetermined minimum current value determined for each charging point of the group, controlling the maximum charging current of one or more charging points to pause active charging transactions based on one or more prioritization parameters such that the remaining charging points satisfy a predetermined minimum current value, determining whether the charging transaction event causes an increase in the share of available charging capacity, and controlling the maximum charging current of at least one of the charging points to activate paused charging transactions based on one or more prioritization parameters such that a predetermined minimum current is satisfied for all charging stations having an active charging transaction at that time. A computing device is provided that is configured to perform the above.

[0018] In one embodiment, the computing device may be configured to implement any of the embodiments according to the first aspect.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions that, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0021] Many of the attendant features will be more readily understood if they are better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, are included to provide a further understanding of the exemplary embodiments and illustrate, together with the description, the principles of the exemplary embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Next, refer in detail to the exemplary embodiments in which the examples are shown in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below together with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the examples and is not intended to represent the only form in which the examples can be constructed or utilized. The description describes the functions of the examples and the possible sequences of operations for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be achieved by different examples.

[0025] A charging station (CS) is used to charge an electric vehicle (EV). An EV driver owns an electric vehicle (EV) and charges their EV at a charging station. The charging station can be remotely managed and controlled by a charging point management system (CPMS) via an Internet connection. The charging station and the CPMS can communicate via the OCPP protocol. The charging station can include one or more charging points (CP). A charging point can refer to an electrical energy source connection solution for charging an EV.

[0026] As the number of EVs and charging stations increases, the amount of electricity used to charge the EVs also increases. Electric mobility is not limited to private transportation only and is increasingly being adopted by public transportation as well. At the same time, many countries are increasing their renewable energy production while disposing of their fossil fuel infrastructure. In the future, there will be many more EVs that require electricity to charge their batteries. Also, at the same time, charging will be more dependent on renewable energy sources. This poses risks and volatility to the electrical system. For example, there may be longer periods without sufficient solar or wind production, and at the same time, there may be many EVs that require energy in addition to all other electricity consumers. The demand may ultimately exceed the supply. In addition to the instability due to renewable resources, the electrical system is also vulnerable to the effects of global events such as war, natural disasters, and other events that may force countries to find other sources to bring electricity to people's daily lives.

[0027] Dynamic load management (DLM) is a common technique in the EV industry for managing energy in a group of charging stations. A typical DLM solution is constructed in such a way that multiple charging points are grouped into a single group. The group is assigned a maximum rated current that the charging points are not allowed to exceed. In a centralized DLM solution, the CPMS continuously adjusts the maximum rated current that the charging points can use for charging. The CPMS controls each CP individually via an API (application programming interface). Each time a DLM event occurs, the CPMS recalculates the maximum current for each CP by dividing a fixed current value among the active charging points.

[0028] Generally, an EV defines the amount of power it will use for charging. Thus, while a maximum limit for charging can be set at the charging point, the EV can use less power. The amount of power used by the EV depends on the charging cycle, i.e., during the start of charging, during charging, at the end of charging, etc.

[0029] For example, if the limit at a site is 64A and there are 8 charging points charging simultaneously, the available charging current per CP can be 64A / 8 = 8A. When there are 4 charging stations charging, the available current per charging station can be 64A / 4 = 16A. On some DLM systems, there is also the concept of VIP charging, which can mean that EV drivers can obtain higher charging power at some dedicated charging stations than at other charging stations. Thus, to charge at the maximum current, the user needs to look for such VIP charging stations that offer the possibility of charging at a higher current. For example, in a group of 8 charging stations, charging stations 1 and 2 can always provide full power, and charging stations 3 - 8 provide less power in the case of normal charging.

[0030] Sometimes, especially at large EV charging sites, the electrical infrastructure may not be able to handle the situation where all charging points are charging at full power simultaneously. In the case of standard load management solutions, the basic principle is the same, i.e., the available charging current is evenly divided among the charging points. The available charging current can depend on various factors, but in a simple solution, there is a static limit for the charging power. These solutions are sometimes called dynamic load management or power sharing.

[0031] The equal share methodology may not be an ideal solution. The available charging current per active charging station may be too low. An EV may not be able to start charging after reaching a certain lower limit (usually 6A) due to the divided capacity. If the equal share limits charging at the charging point to less than 6A, no one may be able to charge after reaching that limit. Therefore, a more refined logic is needed to start pausing some charging transactions after reaching the lower limit and allowing some to charge when the divided capacity increases above the limit for the rest of the charging station.

[0032] For example, in a company parking lot, an airport parking lot, a mall parking lot, and an apartment complex, there can be numerous parking spaces with charging stations. Furthermore, it is desirable that EV charging be enabled for as many of them as possible. The infrastructure may cause some limitations for charging, but that rarely happens. Usually, some of the EVs are already charged, some are about to finish charging, and some have just started charging. EVs may consume different amounts of power depending on the charging cycle. Also, for example, some of the EVs may be fully electric vehicles, and some may be plug-in hybrids. In this case too, they consume power differently.

[0033] Another factor to consider is the dynamically varying charging capacity. For example, the available charging capacity may depend on building consumption, or in the case of local solar production, the sun may stop shining, and the solar panels at the site may no longer produce additional power. In reality, at one point, there may be 100A available for charging, and at another point, only 50A. Such sites must have a smart solution that ensures that the charging points are adjusted for the available energy when needed. The solution may need to be able to react to changes in the available capacity at meaningful times.

[0034] Considering the above aspects regarding long-term parking and charging, it is important to ensure that the site infrastructure is not overly stressed while guaranteeing that all plugged-in vehicles will ultimately have the energy flowing into their batteries. Thus, the goal is to ensure that, particularly at large EV charging sites with long-term charging, all plugged-in vehicles will charge with a meaningful amount of power while ensuring that the site infrastructure is not overly stressed. The solution takes into account the various parameters that affect the available charging capacity and how to prioritize who charges and when.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the charging of electric vehicles is optimized by pausing the charging transactions at one or more charging points and queuing those charging transactions based on various parameters and priorities. Further, the maximum current for charging can be changed during an ongoing charging transaction. The optimization can be deployed remotely. For example, the load management adjustment can be controlled by the CPMS through cloud computing. The control can be implemented using, for example, the OCPP protocol. Thus, the charging points do not need to be physically linked to each other, for example, via an Ethernet cable. The solution is compatible with remotely managed charging points. Thus, the solution is hardware agnostic.

[0036] This method provides improved optimization and flexibility as load management is based on different variables such as varying charging capacity, prioritization based on transaction - related information, and / or who is charging. The use of end - user information enables a queuing solution that can prioritize one or more user segments over others. For example, VIP status for charging at a higher current may be user - based and not based on a particular charging point. This means that users associated with the user segment having VIP status can drive towards any charging station to obtain full power without the need to search for some dedicated charging stations configured to give the maximum current to the user. Further, this method enables configuring how much charging power a single charger must be able to output. If the available charging power is not sufficient, a charging station or charging point can be placed in a queue. Similarly, when sufficient charging power is available again, the charging station / point can be released from the queue for starting charging. The determination of in what order charging stations / points are released from the queue can be based on one or more parameters such as the waiting time associated with the EVs waiting to start or continue charging and / or the user segment.

[0037] Figure 1 shows an example of a method for load management at charging stations 100, 102, 103, 104 by prioritizing charging transactions based on arrival time, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0038] In one embodiment, a parameter for the minimum current can be set. The minimum current can be configured to define how much current each charging point may minimally receive. If the set value is not met, the next charging transaction can be placed in a queue until more capacity is freed from the previous charging transaction.

[0039] For example, the minimum current can be set to 6A, and thus the charging point may be capable of outputting the minimum current required for the vehicle to initiate a charging transaction. The minimum current may be configurable, and 6A is just one example. This may enable scenarios where the service provider wishes to allow as many simultaneous charging transactions as possible, but with limited current.

[0040] Alternatively, the minimum current can be set to match the maximum rated current of the charging station. In one embodiment, the method can be configured to implement so-called first-in, first-out logic, where those of the first priority are charged as fast as possible and the others are placed in a queue for the time being. This may enable the service provider to prioritize charging power and speed over the number of simultaneous charging transactions. In one embodiment, there may be separate minimum current parameters for different user segments. Thus, the minimum current parameter enables a flexible solution and localization based on different site-specific requirements and preferences.

[0041] For example, the available charging capacity of a group of charging stations can be 38A, and the minimum current value can be set to 16A by the user. The available charging power can be evenly distributed to the charging points until there is no sufficient available capacity for each charging station to meet the user-defined minimum current. When the minimum current per charging station falls below the defined parameter(s), the latest arrival is put on hold until more capacity is freed from the previously arrived charging transactions. Those transactions can be prioritized based on the order of arrival. Thus, the first vehicle to start charging has the first priority, the second vehicle to be plugged in has the second priority, and so on.

[0042] In FIG. 1, a first electric vehicle may start charging at a first charging station 100 at a first time instance. Since there is only one active charging transaction, the first charging station obtains all 38 A of capacity and the minimum required current of 16 A is satisfied. At a second time instance, a second electric vehicle at a second charging station 102 starts a charging transaction. The available charging capacity is divided between the first charging station 100 and the second charging station 102 (38 A / 2 = 19 A). Thus, the minimum current value is exceeded for those charging stations (19 A > 16 A). Later, new electric vehicles arrive at a third charging station 103 and a fourth charging station 104 for charging. Next, when a third electric vehicle starts a charging transaction and the available capacity is evenly divided, at none of the charging stations 100, 102, 103 will the minimum current be reached (38 A / 3 = 12.6 A). Thus, the third charging station 103 is placed on a queue until capacity is freed up from the first charging station 100 and / or the second charging station 102. Similarly, when a fourth EV attempts to start charging, the divided capacity is again below the required minimum current value, 38 A / 4 = 9.5 A. Thus, the fourth charging station is also placed on a queue, i.e., the charging transaction at that charging station is paused by configuring its maximum charging power to zero.

[0043] After one of the charging stations 100 of the first priority or the charging station 102 of the second priority finishes charging, and as a result, after the capacity for charging is vacated, the third charging station 103, based on the arrival time of the third electric vehicle, becomes the next in line so that the third electric vehicle can start charging. The fourth charging station 104 is maintained in the queue if there is not enough capacity for both considering the minimum current criterion. When a new electric vehicle arrives at the first charging station 100 or the second charging station 102 for charging, the first charging station 100 or the second charging station 102 is put into the queue so that the fourth charging station 104 now has a higher priority compared to the charging station with the later arriving electric vehicle. Thus, the queue, priority, and suspended or continued charging transactions are continuously updated based on the information received from the charging stations, such as requests for charging or stopping charging and the timestamps of those events.

[0044] Figure 2 shows an example of a method for load management in a charging station by prioritizing one user segment over another according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0045] In one embodiment, one user segment may be prioritized over another. EV drivers can be grouped into various user segments. For example, one user segment may include "VIP users" where the user gets more power than an ordinary user without VIP status. One or more of the user segments may be considered in the queuing solution. For example, VIP users may avoid the queue and get as much power as possible without exceeding the site's energy limit and the set minimum current. It is possible that VIP users consume all available energy, which may result in a situation where charging for all non-VIP users is suspended. If not all VIP users can charge without exceeding the site limit, VIP users may also be subject to normal load management. During this time, all non-VIP users are set to wait in the queue until more capacity is freed up from VIP users.

[0046] In FIG. 2, there may be two charging stations 105 that provide power for electric vehicles associated with a prioritized user segment. For example, a user may be identified prior to the start of charging, and the user data associated with the identified user may include an indication of which user segment the identified user belongs to. The two charging stations 105 may occupy charging capacity, and thus, additional charging stations may not be able to provide a charging current that exceeds the minimum current limit. If there are users of a lower priority user segment that are charging, the charging transactions at the corresponding charging stations 106 are suspended and they are placed on a queue. When a user of another high-priority user segment arrives at charging station 107, that user is also placed in the queue since the available capacity is divided among the three charging stations 105, 107 and will not exceed the minimum current limit. However, after capacity has been freed up from at least one of the charging stations 105, the charging station 107 with users of a higher user segment is prioritized over the other charging stations 106 in the queue, even though the other charging stations 106 have been waiting in the queue longer. After the users of the high-priority user segment waiting in the queue are no longer present, the remaining charging stations 106 are enabled to start or continue charging in order of waiting time when it is possible to allocate sufficient current to the next charging station in the queue. The minimum current required for an active charging transaction may be different for a higher-priority or VIP user segment and for a lower-priority user segment without VIP status. For example, the minimum current value for a higher-priority user segment may correspond to full power, and for a lower-priority user segment, the minimum current value may be much lower.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows an example of an electrical system 300 that utilizes a method for load management of a charging station based on various parameters and priorities according to an exemplary embodiment. Advantageously, the determination of which EVs will charge and which will be placed in the queue can be based on varying charging capacities and other transaction-related data. The prioritization can be specific to the charging energy management group 302.

[0048] In addition to the capacity provided by the grid 307, varying local production and consumption can affect the available capacity. In one embodiment, building consumption 301 can be prioritized over charging consumption 303. Thus, when the demand in the building increases, the charging load is reduced to avoid exceeding the site limits. The site may be equipped with additional measurement devices for the purpose. Further, locally produced electricity 304 can be used for charging. Thus, when there is available locally produced electricity, there can be more power available to be used for charging. Data regarding local production and consumption can be obtained, for example, from the energy meter 305.

[0049] The method is also adaptable when the charging capacity is stable, i.e., has a single static limit. The static limit can be based, for example, on the fuse size on the distribution board 306.

[0050] Other transaction-related data can include, for example, prioritization based on kilowatt-hours charged. For example, a transaction with the minimum charging energy can be prioritized. After a predetermined time, the situation can be rechecked so that the charging point with the minimum charging energy for the charging transaction is then prioritized.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, prioritization may be based on data that a charging station can provide, such as the battery SoC (state-of-charge). For example, a transaction with the smallest SoC may be prioritized. After a predetermined time, the situation may be rechecked to pause and / or continue the charging transaction at the charging point that currently has the smallest SoC.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the priority may be switched. For example, a subset of charging points can be selected, charged, and the others can be left in the queue. After a predetermined time, another subset can be selected and allowed to charge while the others are set to wait their turn. The priority can be switched after a predetermined time until at least some of the EVs are fully charged.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, prioritization may be based on user input. User input may include, for example, a scheduled departure time and a desired SoC. Charging transactions can be prioritized according to which EV is scheduled to depart earliest and / or which EV needs to charge the most energy.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, prioritization may be based on user-related information, such as the aforementioned user segments. Different prioritization parameters can be hierarchical. For example, user segments may be prioritized over the amount of charging power, and thus higher-priority users are always prioritized, and charging transactions to be paused or continued are determined according to the charging power.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for load management of a charging station according to an exemplary embodiment. The method may be implemented by a computing device communicatively coupled to a plurality of charging stations. The computing device may be configured to obtain transaction-related data from the charging stations. The computing device may be further configured to control at least a maximum current of the charging stations.

[0056] At 401, a charging transaction event may be monitored. A charging transaction may start when a user starts charging at a charging point and successfully authenticates himself. When charging starts, the charging point may change its status, for example, from "available" to "charging". Further, there may be other status changes within the charging transaction. For example, when the vehicle is fully charged and can no longer take in energy, the charging point may change its status to "Suspended EV" or "ended". An active charging transaction refers to a situation where the charging point is actually charging, and the charging point may report the status "charging", and energy is flowing into the electric vehicle. When the user selects to stop charging or unplug the EV plug, the charging transaction may end. The charging transaction event may include, for example, a request for charging, a start of charging, an amount of charging energy, a time of charging, and a stop of charging. The charging transaction event may further include user-related data, such as data indicating which user segment the user who requested charging belongs to.

[0057] At 402, when an event is received from any charging point, it may be confirmed whether the charging point belongs to one or more load management groups. The load management group may be configurable. For example, an electric charging point or station may be added or removed from a (one or more) group.

[0058] In 403, it can be confirmed what the maximum rated current of the group is. The maximum rated current can be based on, for example, the fuse size. In 404, it can be confirmed whether the available charging capacity depends on a static limit or a variable limit. In 405, the maximum current for the group can be updated. For example, the maximum current can be decreased or increased based on the consumption of the building and other entities involved, or local energy production.

[0059] In 406, since charging points that are not in an active charging transaction may not require a charging current, they can be excluded.

[0060] In one embodiment, the solution can be configured to meet local regulations and / or prohibitions. For example, in 407, it can be confirmed whether phase balancing is active. If so, in 408, for example, even if the calculated available capacity is higher than 16A, a limit can be set so that the maximum current cannot be set higher than 16A for transactions other than three - phase charging transactions.

[0061] In 409, it can be confirmed whether a queue is enabled. If so, in 410, when a certain parameter, the minimum current, is not met, one or more charging transactions can be put on hold. When the minimum current is met, the load management solution can follow normal sharing logic. This sharing logic can be, for example, equal sharing, round - robin, or any other set logic. In practice, putting a transaction on hold can include setting the maximum current of the charging point to 0A. When the minimum current is no longer available for each charging point, interrupting the charging transactions in a predetermined order of priority can be started.

[0062] In 412, interrupted transactions can be resumed, i.e., reactivated, in order of priority when more capacity becomes available starting from those with the first priority.

[0063] If a queue cannot be enabled, in 413, it can be verified which charging points have privileged user charging. For example, a user can be authenticated by a computing device to initiate / activate a charging transaction. The computing device can store data regarding user segments and determine which user segment the user belongs to based on the authentication data. In 414, all privileged user charging transactions can be set to full power or any other value regarding what privileges they are given. Then, in 415, the available capacity for non-privileged users can be recalculated by reducing the consumption of privileged users from the import limit. In one embodiment, operations 413 - 415 can be combined with a queue such that when the minimum current is no longer available for all, the charging transaction is interrupted, and the charging transaction is interrupted first from non-privileged users.

[0064] In 416, a current adjustment can be sent for each charging station. In one embodiment, a single charging point can be connected to two or more energy management groups, and requests from different groups can be prioritized. First, in 417, it can be verified whether the charging point is linked to other groups. If so, in 418, the calculated station-specific value can be compared with other limits it receives from other energy management services it follows, and the lowest value can be selected. Other energy management services can include, for example, congestion management. In 419, the current of a single charging station can be adjusted based on the previously determined conditions and decisions.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows an example of a computing device 500 configured to practice one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0066] The computing device 500 may include at least one processor 501. The at least one processor 501 may be one or more of various processing devices, such as, for example, a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or one or more of various other processing devices including integrated circuits, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a dedicated computer chip, etc.

[0067] The computing device 500 may further include at least one memory 502. The memory 502 may be configured to store, for example, computer program code such as operating system software and application software. In one embodiment, the memory 502 may include, for example, charge capacity data, EV charging station data, and / or user-related data obtained from a charging station, a user device, and / or an electricity meter. The memory 502 may be configured to store information regarding user segments that include a list of users with different levels of priority. The memory 502 may store one or more charging load management groups that include one or more charging stations and / or charging points. The memory 502 may include one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or combinations thereof. For example, the memory may be embodied as a magnetic storage device (such as a hard disk drive, magnetic tape, etc.), a magneto-optical storage device, or a semiconductor memory (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0068] Computing device 500 may further include a communication interface configured to enable the computing device 500 to transmit and / or receive information to / from other devices, such as a charging station. The computing device 500 may be configured to obtain data from multiple data sources. The data may be obtained as an update, for example, each time there is a change in the data. The communication interface may be configured to provide at least one wireless connection, such as a 3GPP (registered trademark) mobile broadband connection (such as 3G, 4G, 5G). However, the communication interface may be configured to provide one or more other types of connections, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) connection, such as those standardized by the IEEE 802.11 series or the Wi-Fi Alliance, a short-range wireless network connection, such as Bluetooth, NFC (near-field communication), or RFID connection, a wired connection, such as a local area network (LAN) connection, a universal serial bus (USB) connection, or an optical network connection, or a wired Internet connection. The communication interface may be configured to include or be coupled to at least one antenna for transmitting and / or receiving radio frequency signals. One or more of the various types of connections may also be implemented as a separate communication interface that may be coupled to or configured to be coupled to multiple antennas.

[0069] Computing device 500 may further include a user interface that includes an input device and / or an output device. The input device may take various forms, such as a keyboard, a touch screen, or one or more embedded control buttons. The output device may include, for example, a display. In one embodiment, a user may configure a minimum current value for one or more charge load management groups and / or user segments via the user interface.

[0070] When computing device 500 is configured to implement a certain functionality, certain components and / or some components of computing device 500, such as at least one processor 501 and / or memory 502, may be configured to implement this functionality. Further, when at least one processor 501 is configured to implement a certain functionality, this functionality may be implemented using, for example, program code included in memory 502.

[0071] The functionality described herein can be implemented, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components, such as software components. According to one embodiment, computing device 500 includes a processor 501 or a processor circuit element, such as a microcontroller, configured by program code to perform the described operations and embodiments of the functionality when executed. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be implemented, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, without limitation, exemplary types of hardware logic components that can be used include field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), application-specific standard products (ASSP), system-on-a-chip systems (SOC), complex programmable logic devices (CPLD), and graphics processing units (GPU).

[0072] Computing device 500 can be configured to perform or cause performance of any aspect of the (one or more) methods described herein. Further, a computer program can include instructions for causing, when executed, computing device 500 to perform any aspect of the (one or more) methods described herein. Further, computing device 500 can include means for performing any aspect of the (one or more) methods described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the means includes at least one processor 501 and a memory 502 including program code, and the program code in the one memory 502 is configured to cause performance of any aspect of the (one or more) methods when executed by the at least one processor 501.

[0073] The computing device 500 can include, for example, a server device, a client device, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop, etc. Although the computing device 500 is shown as a single device, it should be understood that whenever applicable, the functions of the computing device 500 can be distributed among multiple devices. In one embodiment, the computing device can be, or can include, a CPMS. The computing device 500 can be a cloud computing device configured to deliver computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence over the Internet (the "cloud"). The computing device 500 can be located remotely from a charging station and configured to receive and transmit data and commands wirelessly to / from the charging station. Thus, the computing device 500 can control any charging station capable of connecting to the Internet, regardless of hardware differences in charging stations of different vendors or models.

[0074] As technology advances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the basic concepts of the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Accordingly, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, and instead, they can vary within the scope of the claims.

[0075] Further features of the method arise directly from the functionality and parameters of the computer device as described in the appended claims and throughout this specification, and thus are not repeated here. Note that one or more operations of the method can be performed in a different order.

[0076] Any range or device value given in this specification can be extended or changed without losing the desired effect. Also, any embodiment can be combined with another embodiment, unless explicitly negated.

[0077] The subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or acts, but it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to fall within the scope of the claims.

[0078] It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or to several embodiments. Embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. Further, it will be understood that references to "an" item may refer to one or more of those items.

[0079] The operations of the methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order or, where appropriate, simultaneously. Further, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Any aspect of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any aspect of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the desired effect.

[0080] The term "comprising," as used herein, means including the identified method, block, or element but not having a list consisting exclusively of such block or element and that a method or apparatus may include additional blocks or elements.

[0081] As a further example, the term circuit element as used in this application also covers simply a hardware circuit or a processor (or processors), or a portion of a hardware circuit or a processor, and the implementation of its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuit element also covers, for example, and where applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or a processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0082] It will be understood that the foregoing description is given merely by way of example, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The foregoing specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although the various embodiments have been described with a degree of particularity, or with respect to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art can make numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A method performed by a cloud computing device for remotely managing the charging loads of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations, the method comprising: monitoring data regarding charging transactions obtained from the plurality of electric vehicle charging stations grouped into one or more load management groups; detecting charging transaction events related to at least the charging points of the electric vehicle charging stations; determining whether the charging transaction event causes a share of the available charging capacity, which has a static limit and is divided among the charging points of the load management group having active charging transactions, to decrease below a predetermined minimum current value determined for each charging point of the load management group; controlling the maximum charging current of one or more charging points to pause the active charging transactions based on one or more prioritization parameters such that the predetermined minimum current value is satisfied for the remaining charging points; determining whether the charging transaction event causes the share of the available charging capacity to increase; controlling the maximum charging current of at least one of the charging points to reactivate the paused charging transactions based on the one or more prioritization parameters such that the predetermined minimum current is satisfied for all the electric vehicle charging stations having active charging transactions at that time; A method comprising the above.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include the arrival time of the electric vehicle to be charged, and thus the charging transactions are first paused from one or more of the last-arriving electric vehicles and first reactivated for the first-arriving electric vehicles.

3. further comprising determining a user segment associated with the charging transaction based on charging transaction data, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include the user segment, and thus the charging transactions associated with lower-priority user segments are paused first and the charging transactions associated with higher-priority user segments are reactivated first. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined minimum current value is different for the higher-priority user segment and the lower-priority user segment.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined minimum current value, the prioritization parameter, and the prioritization hierarchy are configurable by a user.

6. further comprising monitoring a change in the available charging capacity based on acquired data indicating an amount of available locally renewable energy, wherein the one or more charging transactions are paused or reactivated based on the changed available charging capacity that affects the number of charging transactions that meet the predetermined minimum current value. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. further comprising monitoring a change in the available charging capacity based on acquired data indicating the electrical consumption of other consumers, wherein the one or more charging transactions are paused or reactivated based on the changed available charging capacity that affects the number of charging transactions that meet the predetermined minimum current value. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include charging energy, and thus charging transactions with the minimum charging energy are prioritized, and the method includes updating the charging transactions to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include a battery charge state, and a charging transaction associated with an electric vehicle having the lowest battery charge state is prioritized, and the method includes updating the charging transaction to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include a random subset of charging points in the load management group to be prioritized, and the method includes selecting another subset to be prioritized after a predetermined time.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the one or more prioritization parameters include at least one of a scheduled departure time or a desired charge state of an electric vehicle obtained based on user input, and the charging transaction associated with at least one of the electric vehicles scheduled to depart first or the electric vehicles requiring the largest amount of energy is paused last and reactivated first.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the charging transaction is associated with two or more load management groups, the maximum charging current for the charging transaction is controlled based on the lowest determined value.

13. A cloud computing device for remotely managing the charging loads of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations, monitoring data regarding charging transactions obtained from the plurality of electric vehicle charging stations grouped into one or more load management groups; detecting charging transaction events related to at least the charging points of the electric vehicle charging stations; determining whether the charging transaction event causes a share of the available charging capacity, which has a static limit and is divided among the charging points of the load management group having active charging transactions, to decrease below a predetermined minimum current value determined for each charging point of the load management group; Controlling the maximum charging current of one or more charging points to pause the active charging transaction based on one or more prioritization parameters such that the remaining charging points satisfy the predetermined minimum current value. Determining whether the charging transaction event causes an increase in the share of the available charging capacity. Based on the one or more prioritization parameters, controlling the maximum charging current of at least one of the charging points to reactivate the paused charging transaction such that the predetermined minimum current is satisfied for all the electric vehicle charging stations having an active charging transaction at that time. A cloud computing device configured to perform the above. **Claim 14** A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11. **Claim 15** A computer program product comprising instructions that, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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