Electronic aggregator platform of vehicle-to-grid

Abstract

An electronic platform, method and system for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme uses an EV model module (e.g., a manufacturer database) to store participation criteria for EV models. The participation criteria are agreed upon by EV manufacturers such that participation in V2G events will have a negligible degradation on the EV battery. EV owners can register with an aggregator to take part in the scheme. On days when peak energy demand is forecast, the aggregator selects a set of EV owners to take part in the V2G event and discharge their EV battery to the grid. To take part, the EV owners must then positively reply (opt-in). After the V2G event the amount of energy discharged is determined, and the owners are rewarded for their participation.

Description

ELECTRONIC AGGREGATOR PLATFORM OE VEH1CLE-TO-GR1DCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Singapore Patent Application No. 10202402121X titled “ELECTRONIC AGGREGATOR PLATFORM OF VEHICLE-TO-GRID” and filed on 17 July 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electric vehicles and electric grids. In a particular form, the disclosure relates to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems which allow electric vehicles to discharge their batteries to supply electricity to the electrical grid.BACKGROUND

[0003] The substantial surge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the coming decades will revolutionize the landscape of mobility and power generation. Rather than the electricity flowing one way from the electric grid to mobility, the electricity can flow in the reverse direction from mobility to the grid, know'll as vehicle-to-grid (V2G). As an average vehicle is used for mobility purposes only a minuscule fraction of the time (c.g., less than 4% in the U.S., Kempton and Tomic. 2005, Vchiclc-to-grid power fundamentals: Calculating capacity and net revenue. Journal of Power Sources, 144(1), 268-279), these EVs not-in-use can function as valuable mobile energy storage systems to balance the electricity supply and demand. V2G thus has significant implications for electricity generation cost and emissions, which vary as electricity demand changes over time. In particular, when the grid electricity demand is high, EVs can discharge any stored electricity in the battery back to the grid to avoid using peak power plants, thus avoiding the high electricity generation costs and associated (usually higher) emissions. These EVs can be charged when the electricity generation cost is lower (after the peak demand period or even before). Therefore, there are potentially significant cost and emission savings to the grid.

[0004] One deterrent for adoption of V2G by EV owners is the potential degradation of the vehicle battery due to the increased use from discharging back to the grid (Guille and Gross, 2009, A conceptual framework for the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) implementation, Energy Policy, 37( I I ), 4379-4390; Steward 2017, Critical Elements of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Economics. National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Noel ct al. 2019, Vchiclc-to-Grid, Springer; Blair ct al. 2022, Customer-centric pathways to V2X adoption; Smart Electric Power Alliance, SEPA 2023, The Slate of Bidirectional Charging in 2023). Inaddition, due to such degradation, almost all EV manufacturers currently void the battery warranty for EV owners if EVs are used for V2G purposes, except for granting permissions for demonstration projects (Jones et al. 2022, Creating value from V2G: A report on business models, and SEPA 2023). This creates a significant disincentive for EV owners.

[0005] There is thus a need to provide a platform or system for the adoption of V2G that can mitigate or reduce EV owners’ anxiety in adopting V2G, or at least provide a useful alternative to existing platforms and systems.SUMMARY

[0006] This application relates to a platform, system and methods for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle battery into an electricity grid. The electronic platform may be used by an electric vehicle aggregator to create a pool of EV owners who are willing to discharge their EV batteries into an electric grid during periods of high demand, subject to participation criteria, agreed upon with EV manufacturers, that ensure that participation will have a negligible effect on battery degradation. On days of high demand, the EV aggregator contacts EV owners who are given the option to opt-in to participating and discharging their EV battery to the grid. They may then be rewarded for their participation. Embodiments may provide a platform or system for the adoption of V2G that can mitigate or reduce EV owners' anxiety in adopting V2G.

[0007] According to a first aspect, there is provided an electronic platform for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme, the electronic platform comprising: at least one memory; a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory that configure the electronic platform to: store an EV model module, wherein the EV model module is configured to store, for a plurality of EV models, one or more participation criteria for participation in a vchiclc-to-grid (V2G) scheme by the respective EV model; store a registered EV owner module, wherein the registered EV owner module is configured to store information for a plurality of EV owners who have registered to participate in the V2G scheme, the information for each EV registered owner comprising contact information, an EV model owned by the registered EV owner, historical participation information on participation in one or more previous V2G service events, and a battery status of the EV battery of the EV model owned by the registered EV owner; determining, in response to peak demand forecast, a participation set of the registered EV owners to send a request for participation in a V2G service event associated with the forecast peak demand,wherein determining the participation set of registered EV owners comprises selecting a plurality of the eligible EV owners from the set of registered EV owners, and determining if an EV owner is eligible comprises determining if one or more of the historical participation information and the battery status of the EV model owned by the respective registered EV owner satisfies the one or more participation criteria; transmitting a V2G sendee event request to each registered EV owner in the participation set of EV owners, the V2G service event request comprising a request for permission to allow the registered owner’s EV battery to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period associated with the peak demand forecast; receiving a reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event; and storing an amount of power discharged into the electricity grid during the V2G service event by each EV battery for which a reply granting the permission was received, updating the participation information for the EV owner, and reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power.

[0008] Tn one form, the one or more participation criteria for an EV model comprises one or more of a maximum number of V2G service events the EV model may participate in during a predetermined time period, a maximum number of hours during the predetermined time period during which the EV model may participate in V2G service events, a maximum amount of power that may be discharged to the electricity grid in V2G service events during the predetermined time period, and a minimum battery status metric, or a degradation metric threshold.

[0009] In one form, when determining if an EV owner is eligible, the EV battery status is either obtained on demand from the EV or by looking up a most recent battery status for the EV battery stored by the registered EV owner module.

[0010] In one form, determining the participation set further comprises using an optimisation method to rank or classify the plurality of the eligible EV owners. Tn a further form, the optimisation method is configured to estimate a probability or likelihood of an EV owner participating in the V2G service event based on all the information stored by the registered EV owner module.

[0011] In one form, reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power comprises: determining a cost saving from the discharge into the electricity grid by each of the EV batteries compared to the electricity grid generating a same amount of electricity; calculating a distribution of the cost saving between an electricity grid operator, an electronic platform operator, and the EV owners of the EV that took part in the V2G service event; and effecting a payment to each of the EV owners that took part in the V2G service event.

[0012] In one form, Lhe reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event further comprises a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event.

[0013] In one form, the processor further configures the electronic platform to manage the discharge into the electricity grid so that each of the EVs taking part in the V2G service event has a sufficient charge for their respective electric vehicle after disconnection from the electricity grid.

[0014] According to a second aspect, there is provided a user application configured to execute on a computing device comprising at least one memory, at least one processor, and a communications interface configured to electronically communicate with the electronic platform of the first aspect, wherein the computing device is either a user computing device of an owner of an electric vehicle (EV) or on a computing device in an EV, wherein the user application is configured to cause the at least one processor to: receive a V2G service event request comprising a request for permission for the EV to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period; and receive, via a user interface, permission by the EV owner for the EV to take part in the V2G service event and sendi ng the permission to the electronic platform.

[0015] In one form, the user application is further configured to receive, via the user interface, a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event, and to send the schedule to the electronic platform.

[0016] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vchiclc-to-grid (V2G) scheme, the method comprising: storing, for a plurality of EV models, one or more participation criteria for participation in a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme by the respective EV model; storing information for a plurality of EV owners who have registered to participate in the V2G scheme, the information for each EV registered owner comprising contact information, an EV model owned by the registered EV owner, historical participation information on participation in one or more previous V2G service events, and a battery status of the EV model owned by the registered EV owner; determining, in response to peak demand forecast, a participation set of the registered EV owners to send a request or participation in a V2G service event associated with the forecast peak demand, wherein determining the participation set of registered EV owners comprises selecting a plurality of the eligible EV owners from the set of registered EV owners, and determining if an EV owner is eligiblecomprises if one or more of the historical participation information and the battery status of the EV model owned by the respective registered EV owner satisfies the one or more participation criteria; transmitting a V2G sendee event request to each registered EV owner in the participation set of EVs owners, the V2G service event request comprising a request for permission to allow the registered owner's EV to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation lime period associated with the peak demand forecast; receiving a reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event; and storing an amount of power discharged into the electricity grid during the V2G service event by each EV for which a reply granting the permission was received, updating the participation informationBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Representative embodiments of the present invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary computing device to host an electronic platform to facilitate discharge of an electric vehicle battery into an electricity grid according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2A shows a framework for a scheme to enrol, notify and compensate EV owners for V2G service according to an embodiment, which can be implemented on the electronic platform of Figure 1.

[0020] Figure 2B is an embodiment of a computer implemented method for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid ( V2G) scheme based on the framework shown in Figure 2A.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a schematic of a system used to implement the framework of Figure 2A according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In the following description, various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, where like reference characters generally refer to the same features across the drawings.

[0023] This application relates to a platform, system and methods for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle battery into an electricity grid.

[0027] The computing device 100 also includes at least one communication interface 124. The communication interface 124 allows software and data to be transferred between computing device 100 and external devices via a communication path 126. Tn various embodiments of the inventions, the communication interface 124 permits data to be transferred between the computing device 100 and a datacommunication network, such as a public data or private data communication network. The communication interface 124 may be used to exchange data between different computing devices 100 where such computing devices 100 form part of an interconnected computer network. Examples of a communication interface 124 can include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port (such as a serial, parallel, printer, GPIB, IEEE 1394, RJ45, USB), an antenna with associated circuitry and the like. The communication interface 124 may be wired or may be wireless. Software and data transferred via the communication interface 124 are in the form of signals which can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by communication interface 124. These signals are provided to the communication interface via the communication path 126.

[0028] As shown in Figure I , the computing device 100 further includes a display interface 102 which performs operations for rendering images to an associated display 130 and for providing a user interface.

[0029] Computer programs (also called computer program code) are stored in main memory 108 and / or secondary memory 110. Computer programs can also be received via the communication interface 124. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computing device 100 to perform one or more features of embodiments discussed herein. In various embodiments, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 104 to perform features of the above -described embodiments. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system 100.

[0030] Software may be stored in a computer program product and loaded into the computing device 100 using the removable storage drive 114 or the hard disk drive 112. Alternatively, the computer program product may be downloaded to the computer system 100 over the communications path 126. The software, when executed by the processor 104, causes the computing device 100 to perform functions of embodiments described herein.

[0031] In some embodiments, one or more features of the computing device 100 may be combined. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more features of the computing device 100 may be split into one or more component parts (i.e. a distributed device). The computing device may be a cloud computing system which provides user interfaces for interacting with the system, or it may be a mobile device (e.g. for the user application), or an embedded computing device (e.g., in the electric vehicle and / or smart meter).

[0032] The platform allows participation of EV consumers as well as EV manufacturers in V2G as follows. The system allows EV owners to perform V2G services a limited number of times a year, such as when peak electricity demand periods are expected, where the resulting degradation of the EV battery

[0033] Figure 2A shows a framework 200 for a scheme to enrol, notify and compensate EV owners for V2G service, which an EV aggregator can implement on the electronic platform 100 of Figure 1 . A flowchart of computer implemented method 200' based on the framework 200 is shown in Figure 2B. The EV aggregators (i.e. platform operators) negotiate with EV manufacturers to define V2G service condition specification 201 which defines one or more participation criteria 202 for participation in the system for each EV model (or make) to be included in the scheme. The manufacturers may agree to include multiple models (or makes), and the same participation criteria may be used for all the EVs, or they may define different criteria for different models. Provided use stays within the V2G sendee condition specification for the respective EV, the manufacturers agree not to invalidate the battery warranty of an owner / user of respective EV model. The agreement or V2G service conditions may be optionally reviewed and periodically updated, such as every year or every few years. The one or more participation criteria 202 (or the V2G service condition 201) agreed for each EV model is then stored in an EV model record 222 in an EV model module 220 stored in the electronic platform 100. The EV model module 220 is used to store the EV model records 222 for all the EV models for which agreements exist with the manufacturers. In this embodiment the EV model module 220 is implemented as a manufacturer database although it will be understood that in other embodiments alternative data structures, storage mediums and interfaces may be used. In other embodiments the EV model records 222 could be stored in a set of a machine readable files / records and access with associated code interfaces (c.g. an API), or the module could be an executable program with the information / EV model records 222 hardcoded within the module 220. The system 100 may publish the V2G service condition specification or participation criteria 202 for each EV model to potential EV vehicle owners, for example, on a website associated with the electronic platform 100. The one or more participation criteria 202 may be a simplecriteria such as a cap on the maximum number of V2G services each EV owner can perform during a predefined time period, a maximum number of hours over the predefined time period, or a maximum amount of power to discharge during the predetermined time period. Using a cap may act as a proxy for time or amount on the basis that each event will only last a few hours. The predetermined time period may be an extended period such as three, six or nine months, or one or more years. The battery status or a degradation metric may also be used, for example by requiring that the state of charge (SOC) exceeds a threshold amount before discharge begins, or that discharge (or participation) must terminate once the SOC drops below a threshold amount, or that the vehicle must be recharged to a threshold SOC after the end of the participation event, or within some time frame after the end (e.g. 'ithin 6 or 12 hours). A degradation metric may be calculated by monitoring the battery status over time and an associated degradation metric threshold may be used. More complex criteria including multiple linked conditions may also be defined, and may include a combination of times and hours, e.g. no more than 5 times per year where each is limited to no more than 2 hours, or criteria based on state of charge (SOC) as described above. The participation criteria may include lifetime maximums, or minimum EV battery quality criteria based on battery status metrics or degradation status, for example, based on age, usage, number of recharge cycles, or other criteria based on a degradation status (e.g., maximum achievable SOC). These lifetime maximums or minimum EV battery quality criteria act as minimum participation requirements, as well as termination criteria for the EV (e.g. once exceeded / failed the EV may no longer take part in the scheme).

[0034] Vehicle owners can file a participation request 232 to register their EV in the system. The system verifies the proposed EV model is acceptable by checking for existence of the V2G service condition specification 201 with the EV manufacturer, or an EV model record 222 in the manufacturer database (or EV model module 220) which stores the participation criteria 202. A check may also be performed on the EV battery status to ensure the EV meets the minimum participation requirements. If an agreement has not been made for the EV model (i.c. no V2G service condition specification 201) or the EV fails the minimum participation requirements the request is refused. The EV is then accepted and registered in the system and an EV registration record 234 is created and stored in a registered EV owner module 230 for the EV, for example as the customer database shown in Figure 2A, although alternative data structures and storage mediums may be used. The EV owner may be notified that their request has been accepted. The EV registration record 234 includes details on the owner such as name, address, contact details (e.g., email, mobile phone, etc), banking details, EV model, battery status information, the participation criteria 202 for their EV model, and actual participation details. Other information may also be stored. The EV registration record 234 may be a single record storing all of the information, or it may be a virtual record created on demand and distributed across multiple records in multiple databases. For example, there could be separate databases for customer information, financial information, vehicle information, andparticipation. For example, the participation criteria 202 for their EV model may be stored in the record or it may be obtained from a query to the manufacturer database (or EV model module 220), e.g. to find the appropriate EV model record 222, as required.

[0035] The EV aggregator also negotiates an agreement 218 with a grid operator (or multiple grid operators), such as ISO / RTO in the U.S. or EMA in Singapore, for a percentage of electricity generation cost savings due to V2G power supplied from their pool of EV owners. Power prices may vary over the year, and i n response to demand, and thus different rates may apply at different times or under different defined conditions, for example, if the grid operator declares a day of expected high demand, or demand exceeds a criterion triggering a price change. The EV aggregator may negotiate to supply power at any time, or only under certain conditions, for example, in response to a request from the grid operator due to expected high demand, or for a fixed number of days per year. The EV aggregator generates revenue from the grid operators for the EV owners to supply power and compensates the EV owners for their V2G service. Throughout the year, the aggregator selects a subset of EV owners (drivers) whose EVs satisfy the participation criteria 202 for a V2G service request, where each owner decides whether to accept each request. Then after the V2G service request has ended, the EV aggregator collects 214 proceeds from the grid (as per pre-negotiated agreement 218) for power supplied by the EVs that took part, and pays 216 a fraction to the owners who participated in the V2G service request event to compensate for their V2G service while retaining the rest as profits. The electronic platform may publish or periodically notify, for example at the beginning of each year, registered EV owners of the compensation scheme for participation in V2G service requests (or events). The participation criteria 202 may also be published or sent to each EV owner. In some embodiments, smart meter systems operated by the grid or energy suppliers may identify EV owners who have eligible EVs, based on the EV owner connecting their vehicle to a charger. This information may be provided to the EV aggregator, and if the EV owner is not registered and they are eligible, they may be sent a registration offer.

[0036] With EV manufacturer and grid agreements 201, 218 in place, the daily operation 204 of the electronic platform throughout the year (or another defined operational period) is illustrated in Figure 2A. Each day a peak demand forecast 206 is made of whether there is expected to be tut electricity demand peak (and the associated peak time period). For example, power usage often peaks for a few hours in the afternoon for most electricity markets. If the expected power demand is higher than a predetermined threshold, then a peak demand forecast is issued for the associated peak period. If a period of peak demand is not forecasted to occur, nothing happens, and another day rolls around (i.e., not peak demand). The peak demand forecast 206 may be made by the grid operator, the EV aggregator or a third party that provides this service to the EV aggregator or grid operator. The peak demand forecast 206 may be determined based on a range of factors, including expected weather conditions or other demand or supply information. For example, in periods of very high or very low temperahires, increased powerconsumption is expected due to increased cooling or heating. Similarly extended periods of cloud and / or low wind may adversely affect renewable generation capacity. Energy grid maintenance may also adversely affect grid capacity. If a period of peak demand is forecast 206, then the EV aggregator may receive a request to issue a V2G service request, which we also refer to as a participation request, for the peak demand forecast period, e.g. from a grid operator or third party. Alternatively, the EV aggregator may make their own peak demand forecast 206. In response to a forecast period of peak 205 the EV aggregator determines the set of registered owners to issue a V2G service (participation) request to. The participation request includes a participation time period, and may include other information such as expected pricing, or estimate financial reward for participation. For example, a request may be sent to the owner’s mobile phone, email and / or user app. As discussed further below, the set of registered owners may be selected based on the individual owner’ s participation criteria 202, their current (or most recently known) EV battery status, and their participation to date in previous V2G service calls during the year (or other predefined time period). Tn some cases, the set of owners could be all registered owners. Tn some embodiments a set of eligible owners is first determined, and if the number is more than is required to satisfy the demand, or is more than desirable, owners may be randomly selected from the set of eligible owners, or they may be ranked and the top ranked owners selected. Then, each owner / driver determines 210, based on their schedule, whether to participate in (opt-in to) the V2G service during the peak demand event 206; this response occurs before the actual peak events. If yes, the owner will plug in 212 their EV via a bidirectional charger during the peak demand hours so that the electricity in their EVs can be tapped on when the peak occurs. In some embodiments, control of discharge can be coordinated by the smart meter and / or the app running on the EV vehicle, which may only permit discharge on confirmation the EV owner has positively opted into the request i.e. has given permission for their EV to participate in the V2G service request. The EV owner may program a discharge schedule based on the V2G service request. For example, the V2G service request could span 4 hours, and the EV owner may choose to only participate for 2 hours, or as well as control the total amount of power to discharge, or a minimum state of charge level at which to terminate discharge. The EV owner could also schedule one or more recharge period, either before and / or after the discharge period. This would allow the EV owner to schedule their participation based on expected activities or local ions. The schedule (discharge and any recharges) could be determined based on the time of the predicted demand and / or expected electricity costs.

[0037] The amount of energy fed into the grid by each EV is recorded in a discharge record, for example using a smart meter or EV vehicle software, and this information (discharge record) is sent to the EV aggregator and / or grid operator. The total amount of power supplied by all EV that took part is aggregated and the EV operator is paid by the grid operator 214. Then, the owner is paid 216 by the EV aggregator based on the compensation scheme. In some embodiments the electronic platform 100 may determine a cost saving from the discharge into the electricity grid compared to the electricity gridgenerating the same amount of electricity. They may use this to calculate a distribution of the cost saving between the electricity grid operator, the electronic platform operator, and owners of the electric vehicle batteries responsible for the discharge. This can then use used to determine the amount to be paid to the EV owners for their participation.

[0038] Determining the set of EV owners to send the V2G service request to may be based on the EV’ s battery status along with their previous participation in V2G service events (i.e., historical involvement / records which may be stored in the owner record 234). The battery status may be the current status obtained by a request to the EV, or the more recent battery status stored in the owner record 234. The battery status may be obtained periodically, e.g. at the start of the day when, or around the time, the peak demand forecast 206 is performed, or in response to an event such as the EV being plugged into or disconnected from a charger. The status may also be returned on demand (i.e. the platform may make a request) for battery status which the EV then immediately replies to. The status may be voluntary provided by the EV or the EV may provide the battery status on request from the EV aggregator, for example after a peak demand forecast 206 but prior to sending out the V2G service request. The battery status may be obtained by the vehicle application running on an EV computing device, or via the vehicle management system or by a smart meter. The battery status may be a state of charge, as well as any other battery status or performance metrics such as discharge rates, charge rates, etc. The EV battery status information can be used checked against the owner’s participation criteria 202, along with other data such as their history of participation in previous V2G service request and responses to previous request, to determine whether to select the EV owner and sent them a request 208. Optimisation may also be performed to select which EV owners to make an offer / request for V2G service to. In some embodiments the set of registered EV users may be ranked or grouped based on a criteria such the number of times they have participated, their past responses, as well as battery status. This may define an initial set of users to which offers are first made. Depending upon the number of users or uptake of offers further selection rounds or offers may be made. The system may also determine when EV owners arc no longer eligible to participate, either in the current year, or permanently, for example if the EV owner has reached their maximum number of participation events, or their EV battery status fails the minimum requirements, for example due to age or degradation status.

[0039] Thus, in one embodiment the above framework is provided as a computer implemented method 200' for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme. The method is illustrated in Figure 2B and may comprise: storing, for a plurality of EV models, one or more participation criteria for participation in a vehicle-to-grid ( V2G) scheme by the respective EV model; storing information for a plurality of EV owners who have registered to participate in the V2G scheme, the information for each EV registered owner comprising contact information, an EV modelowned by the registered EV owner, historical participation information on participation in one or more previous V2G service events, and a battery status of the EV model owned by the registered EV owner; determining, in response to peak demand forecast, a participation set of the registered EV owners to send a request for participation in a V2G service event associated with the forecast peak demand, wherein determining the participation set of registered EV owners comprises selecting a plurality of the eligible EV owners from the set of registered EV owners, and determining if an EV owner is eligible comprises determining if one or more of the historical participation information and the battery status of the EV model owned by the respective registered EV owner satisfies the one or more participation criteria; transmitting a V2G sendee event request to each registered EV owner in the participation set of EV owners, the V2G service event request comprising a request for permission to allow the registered owner" s EV to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period associated with the peak demand forecast; receiving a reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event; and storing an amount of power discharged into the electricity grid during the V2G service event by each EV for which a reply granting the permission was received, updating the pari icipal ion information for the EV owner, and reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power.

[0040] As discussed above the above method may be varied and extended and implemented in an electronic platform. Figure 3 shows a schematic of a system 300 (or electronic platform) used to implement the framework 200 of Figure 2A (or method 200' of Figure 2B). The system includes a computing device 100 including the EV model module 220 and registered EV model module 230, for example implemented as a manufacturer database and a customer database, and software to execute four optimization blocks (302, 304, 306, 310). An EV owner (driver) interface (308) may also be provided which may be an app running on the EV owner’ s mobile device, an app running on a computing device in the EV, or a web interface. An app running on computing device in the EV may record the amount of power discharged into the grid during the V2G service event, along with battery status information, and send this to the system to allow reimbursement to the EV aggregator (i.e., platform operator) and EV owner. Alternatively, a smart meter may detect connection of the EV to a charging point (i.e., to the electricity grid) and track the discharge of electricity into the grid during the V2G service event and then send this to the system.

[0041] The EV model module 230, for example implemented as a manufacturer database is based on discussion with each manufacturer for each potential participating EV model and the corresponding V2G service condition in order to uphold the battery warranty. As noted above participation agreements are executed which defines a V2G service condition specification 201 from which one or more participationcriteria 202 are defined and stored in an EV model record 222 in the manufacturer database, or other implementation of an EV model module 220, for each EV model.

[0042] Optimization Block 1 is run several times throughout the year (for instance, qu arterly ) to determine the participation reward for the EV owners (drivers), who then decide whether to join the platform for potential V2G service. EV owners can join at any time of the year, but the platform runs Optimization Block 1 infrequently.

[0043] Throughout the year, when the electricity demand is forecast to peak 206 (c.g.. around 50 or 60 limes a year in PJM in the U.S.), the platform receives a signal or request from the electric system (grid) operator for V2G service. Alternatively, the EV aggregator could determine their own peak demand forecast 206. Then, the platform runs Optimization Block 2 to estimate the probability of each EV owner performing V2G service on that day based on the information mentioned below. This probability estimation is fed into Optimization Block 3 to determine which set of EV owners to notify for the V2G service opportunity. The notification may be one or more of an email, an SMS message, or message to a user app on the EV owners computing device (c.g. mobile phone) or to an application executing on a computing device in the EV.

[0044] EV owners will not perform V2G service by default once notified. EV owners have to opt in actively. If they do not opt-in, they will not join the service by default, in contrast with other known approaches. In some embodiments, after the EV owners have decided to take part, the platform decides how to charge these participating EVs so that after the V2G service ends, the electricity level is then returned to the same level as before the V2G service i.e. discharge during the V2G service, then recharges after. This may be started immediately after the end of the V2G service, or it may be delayed for a few hours, or it could be started before the V2G service. In some embodiments the discharge is managed so that each of the EVs taking part in the V2G service event has a sufficient charge for their respective electric vehicle after disconnection from the electricity grid.

[0045] Each of the system 300 blocks is discussed in further detail below.

[0046] The system 300 may comprise the EV model module 220 and the Registered EV owner module 230. The modules 220 and 230 may implemented as databases, such as a manufacturer database and a customer database, and may be SQL or relational databases, or the modules may be equivalent data storage sites including data warehouses, data lakes, or other data structures, and associated interfaces and software code for accessing the information or processing the information. The modules may be hosted on private servers or be cloud based.

[0047] EV Model Module 220 (e.g., Manufacturer Database):• Participating EV models: This gives the set of EV models that each participating manufacturer agrees for its customers to participate in the V2G service without nullifying the battery warranty if the specification of the V2G service mentioned below is satisfied.• Warranty information: For each participating EV model, this specifies the mileage that the manufacturer guarantees the EV will run; otherwise, the manufacturer bears the financial and physical burden of replacing the battery without extra charge.• Specification of V2G service condition for not to nullify the warranty. For instance, a simple form would be the number of V2G services each EV has performed (each service may, in one implementation, mean continuously discharging the EV for two hours at the rated power capacity level). A more complex specification would be the combination of the battery discharging condition during the V2G service, such as the power (in kW), current (in Amps), temperature, and depth of discharge before and after the V2G service.

[0048] Registered EV owner module 230 (e.g., Customer Database):• EV model: This information will be linked to the manufacturer's database to verify whether the EV is allowed to participate in V2G by the manufacturer. If yes, the record of the specification for the V2G service condition will be retrieved from the manufacturer and stored in the EV owners’ database.• Demographic information, such as age, gender, and occupation.• Daily routine, such as when the driver’s EV is parked. This information will be entered by the EV owner when signing up for the platform and can be modified later. This information will be useful for estimating EV owner participation probability on a given day in Optimization Block 2, mentioned below.• Historical V2G participation records: Each time an EV owner participates in the V2G service, this stores information such as the Lime of day, day of the week, whether it is a public holiday or not, and the weather information, which are important inputs to the EV owner participation probability estimation in the Optimization block 2, mentioned below. The V2G participation record may also store details such as the total amount of power discharged into the grid, and the value or cost of the power.• EV Battery Status: This includes the current, or most recently obtained, status of the battery, such as state of charge (SoC) or other status metrics. Historical information on battery status may be stored, for example to track degradation of the battery. This may be obtained on demand, periodically obtained, or received from the EV, charging point / smart meter in response to charging events such as charging or discharging.

[0049] Four optimization blocks are illustrated in Figure 3. The optimization may be performed using a range of optimization software libraries that implement mathematical / computational optimisation methods (e.g., MATLAB Optimisation toolbox, GNU Octave, Pyomo etc).

[0050] Optimization block 1 (302). Reward menu design: The reward menu specifies the compensation for each V2G service over a time period such as quarterly, six monthly, yearly or multiple years. For instance, if the specification of the V2G service condition is the maximum number of V2G services each year, this optimization block determines the compensation for each V2G service, that is, $ / kWh for the first time of V2G service, $ / kWh for the second, and so on, up to the maximum number of times agreed by the manufacturer for upholding the warranty.

[0051] Optimization block 2 (304). EV owner participation probability (or likelihood) estimation: this block estimates the probability (or likelihood) of each EV owner performing V2G based on all the information stored in the EV owners’ database.

[0052] Optimization block 3 (306). EV owner’s prioritization for notification: Based on the probabilities computed in the Optimization Block 2, this block determines the set of EV owners to notify for the V2G event based on some additional information, which includes those below:• the number of times each EV owner has performed in the past;• day-of-week;• whether it is a public holiday;• temperature;• forecast of the potential peak demand for the future (e.g., for the rest of the year);• one or more participation criteria (e.g. based on EV battery status or degradation status).

[0053] A threshold probability value may be used to select the EV owners (the participation set) to send the V2G service request to, or the EV owners could be ranked based on the probabilities, or a predetermined number (N) of requests may be sent where the requests are sent to the top ranked N EV owners. Machine learning and classification methods may also be used instead to determine the participation set or to group (classify) the EV owners into groups of different likelihood (high, medium, or low). The optimisation in block 2 or 3 may be performed after first selecting the eligible EV owners, or the ineligible EV owners may be filtered out after the optimisation.

[0054] Optimization block 4 (310). Charging Optimization: This block determines when to charge each participating EV so that the state of charge is returned to the same level before the V2G service by the completion time stated by the EV owners. If the customers' EVs have low electricity levels (low state of charge), the platform will charge the EV before discharging so that after V2G service, the electricity levelis reduced to the same as before. If the customers’ EVs have high electricity levels (high state of charge), the platform will charge the EV after the discharging so that the electricity level is increased to be the same as before.

[0055] EV owner’s opt-in interface 308 to facilitate opt-in V2G service: Based on the set of EV owners selected in the Optimization Block 3, the platform notifies them of the V2G opportunity. Once EV owners are notified, it is not by default that they will perform V2G; instead, EV owners have to actively click “Yes” to opt-in for the V2G service. This opt-in feature maximizes the availability of the EV for the driver, which addresses one of the EV owners' main concerns over the control of their vehicle for mobility reasons. This may be provided in user app running on an EV owner’s mobile device, a web page, or an app running on the EV. The user interface may also allow the EV owner to program a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event.

[0056] Embodiments of the framework (or method) 200 distinguishes itself from other V2G frameworks as follows:• First, it sets a participation criteria 202 such as a cap on the number of V2G services agreed upon by the EV manufacturer. In other business models, either this battery degradation is not considered, or a degradation cost of the battery is assigned, which can induce only EV owners who arc not degradation-sensitive, notwithstanding battery degradation as a concern for EV owners in adopting V2G.• Second, in framework 200, EV owners choose when to respond to V2G calls (that is, they opt in for V2G services when it is convenient for them), which differs from aggregators that choose which EVs and when to use them for V2G (however, they can opt out for V2G service). Accordingly, the framework 200 allows EV owners to retain control over when their EV participates in V2G.• Third, the aggregator's revenue is obtained from a contract with the grid operator; that is, the aggregator obtains a percentage of the cost savings due to the V2G service provided by the EVs with the aggregator platform, with the aggregator retrieving the necessary information from the grid operator to calculate the cost savings, if required 218. The grid has an electricity demand peak, so the aggregator acts on behalf of the pooled EVs to agree to shave the electricity peak. This differs from aggregator trades (or arbitrages) in electricity prices (that is, the aggregator sells electricity at high prices and buys at low prices).

[0057] Advantages and improvements over existing methods:• Elimination of V2G Adoption Anxiety: The proposed model eliminates V2G adoption concerns for both EV owners and manufacturers, advantageous for expanding the pool of EV o 'ners willing to participate in the aggregator platform for V2G services.• Alignment with EV manufacturer incentives: As the participation criteria 202 is agreed upon by the manufacturer, the manufacturer will be in full agreement with customers adopting V2G on this platform. Manufacturers will even get to know some information regarding the battery's health through the platform, for example using analytics on the status of the battery during discharge.• EV owners’ full control: The model incentivizes more customers to adopt V2G by providing them with full control over when they can use their vehicles for mobility and V2G purposes. Unlike other business models where customers need to opt out of the service, this approach actively engages customers, allowing them to opt in for V2G services.• Tapping into a large electricity market: The purpose is electricity peak shaving, that is, in the energy market rather than the ancillary market. While the ancillary market is small (which can be saturated with a small fraction of EVs), the energy market is much bigger.• Large pool of EVs: The platform taps into the private-use EV market, while most aggregators work with EV fleets, which have a comparatively smaller pool of EVs.• Potential Carbon Emission Reduction: the potential to decrease carbon emissions associated with electricity generation. By reducing the reliance on peak power plants, known for higher pollution levels, there is alignment with sustainability goals and contributes to a positive environmental impact.

[0058] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0059] Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or instructions, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0060] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware implementation, processing may be implemented within one ormore application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof.

[0061] Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc, or any other form of computer readable medium. In some aspects the computer-readable media may comprise non-transitory computer- readable media (e.g., tangible media). In addition, for other aspects computer -readable media may comprise transitory computer- readable media (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. In another aspect, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and the processor may be configured to execute them. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.

[0062] Further, it should be appreciated that modules and / or other appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and / or otherwise obtained by a computing device. For example, such a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via storage means (e.g.. RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a Flash Drive, optical disc (DVD, CD) or etc.), such that a computing device can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device can be utilized.

[0063] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and / or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0064] As used herein, the terms “estimating” or “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, “estimating” or “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertainingand the like. Also, “estimating” or “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

[0065] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0066] In the application, unless specified otherwise, the terms "comprising", "comprise", “including” and “include” and grammatical variants thereof, intended to represent "open" or "inclusive" language such that they include recited elements but also permit inclusion of additional, non-explicitly recited elements.

[0067] In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and / or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

[0068] While this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, modification may be made to adapt the teachings of the disclosure to situations and materials, without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure invention is not limited to the examples that arc disclosed in this specification but encompasses all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An electronic platform for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme, the electronic platform comprising: at least one memory; a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory that configure the electronic platform to: store an EV model module, the EV model module configured to store, for a plurality of EV models, one or more participation criteria for participation in a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme by the respective EV model; store a registered EV owner module, the registered EV owner module configured to store information for a plurality of EV owners who have registered to participate in the V2G scheme, the information for each EV registered owner comprising contact information, an EV model owned by the registered EV owner, historical participation information on participation in one or more previous V2G service events, and a battery status of the EV battery of the EV model owned by the registered EV owner; determining, in response to peak demand forecast, a participation set of the registered EV owners to send a request for participation in a V2G service event associated with the forecast peak demand, wherein determining the participation set of registered EV owners comprises selecting a plurality of the eligible EV owners from the set of registered EV owners, and determining if an EV owner is eligible comprises if one or more of the historical participation information and the batteiy status of the EV model owned by the respective registered EV owner satisfies the one or more participation criteria; transmitting a V2G sendee event request to each registered EV owner in the participation set of EV owners, the V2G service event request comprising a request for permission to allow the registered owner’s EV battery to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period associated with the peak demand forecast; receiving a reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event; and storing an amount of power discharged into the electricity grid during the V2G service event by each EV battery for which a reply granting the permission was received, updating the participation information for the EV owner, and reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power.

2. The electronic platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more participation criteria for an EV model comprises one or more of a maximum number of V2G service events the EV model may participate in during a predetermined time period, a maximum number of hours during the predetermined time period during which the EV model may participate in V2G service events, a maximum amount of power that may be discharged to the electricity grid in V2G service events during the predetermined time period, and a minimum battery status metric, or a degradation metric threshold.

3. The electronic platform as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein when determining if an EV owner is eligible, the EV battery status is either obtained on demand from the EV or by looking up a most recent battery status for the EV battery stored by the registered EV owner module.

4. The electronic platform as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein determining the participation set further comprises using an optimisation method to rank or classify the plurality of the eligible EV owners.

5. The electronic platform as claimed in claim 4, wherein the optimisation method is configured to estimate a probability or likelihood of an EV owner participating in the V2G service event based on all the information stored by the registered EV owner module.

6. The electronic platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power comprises: determining a cost saving from the discharge into the electricity grid by each of the EV batteries compared to the electricity grid generating a same amount of electricity; calculating a distribution of the cost saving between an electricity grid operator, the electronic platform operator, and the EV owners of the EV that took part in the V2G service event; and effecting a payment to each of the EV owners that took part in the V2G service event.

7. The electronic platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event further comprises a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event.

8. The electronic platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processor further configures the electronic platform to manage the discharge into the electricity grid so that each of the EVs taking part in the V2G service event has a sufficient charge for their respective electric vehicle after disconnection from the electricity grid.

9. A user application configured to execute on a computing device comprising at least one memory, at least one processor, and a communications interface configured to electronically communicate with the electronic platform as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the computing device is either a user computing device of an owner of an electric vehicle (EV) or on a computing device in an EV, wherein the user application is configured to cause the at least one processor to: receive a V2G service event request comprising a request for permission for the EV to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period; and receive, via a user interface, permission by the EV owner for the EV to take part in the V2G service event and sending the permission to the electronic platform.

10. The user application as claimed in claim 9, wherein Lhe user application is further configured to receive, via the user interface, a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event, and to send the schedule to the electronic platform.

11. A computer implemented method for facilitating discharge of an electric vehicle (EV) battery into an electricity grid as part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme, the method comprising: storing, for a plurality of EV models, one or more participation criteria for participation in a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheme by the respective EV model; storing information for a plurality of EV owners who have registered to participate in the V2G scheme, the information for each EV registered owner comprising contact information, an EV model owned by the registered EV owner, historical participation information on participation in one or more previous V2G service events, and a battery status of the EV model owned by the registered EV owner; determining, in response to peak demand forecast, a participation set of the registered EV ow'ners to send a request for participation in a V2G service event associated with the forecast peak demand, wherein determining the participation set of registered EV owners comprises selecting a plurality of the eligible EV owners from the set of registered EV owners, and determining if an EV owner is eligible comprises if one or more of the historical participation information and the battery status of the EV model owned by the respective registered EV owner satisfies the one or more participation criteria; transmitting a V2G service event request to each registered EV owner in the participation set of EVs owners, the V2G service event request comprising a request for permission to allow the registered owner’ s EV to discharge into the electricity grid during a participation time period associated with the peak demand forecast; receiving a reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event; and storing an amount of power discharged into the electricity grid during the V2G service event by each EV for which a reply granting the permission was received, updating the participation information for the EV owner, and reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged power.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more participation criteria for an EV model comprises one or more of a maximum number of V2G service events the EV model may participate in during a predetermined time period, a maximum number of hours during the predetermined time period during which the EV model may participate in V2G service events, a maximum amount of power that may be discharged to the electricity grid in V2G service events during the predetermined time period, and a minimum battery status metric, or a degradation metric threshold.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein when determining if an EV owner is eligible, the EV battery status is either obtained on demand from the EV or by looking up a most recent battery status for the EV battery stored by the registered EV owner module.

14. The method as claimed in any one of claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein determining the participation set further comprises using an optimisation method to rank or classify the plurality of the eligible EV owners.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the optimisation method is configured to estimate a probability or likelihood of an EV owner participating in the V2G service event based on all the information stored by the registered EV owner module.

16. The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein reimbursing the EV owner based on the amount of discharged pow'er comprises: determining a cost saving from the discharge into the electricity grid by each of the EV batteries compared to the electricity grid generating a same amount of electricity; calculating a distribution of the cost saving between an electricity grid operator, an electronic platform operator, and the EV ow'ners of the EV that took part in the V2G service event; and effecting a payment to each of the EV owners that took part in the V2G service event.

17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the reply from one or more of the registered EV owners granting permission for their EV to take part in the V2G service event further comprises a schedule for the discharge into the electricity grid during the V2G service event.

18. The method as claimed in any one of claims I I to 17, wherein the method further comprises managing the discharge into the electricity grid so that each of the EVs taking part in the V2G service event has a sufficient charge for their respective electric vehicle after disconnection from the electricity grid.

Images