Aggregated Energy Management for Bidirectional EV Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of electric vehicles powered by renewable energy sources can lead to grid congestion and volatility due to intermittent energy supplies, necessitating improved energy management systems.

Innovation Solution

An energy management system that enables bidirectional energy transfer between vehicles and charging stations, utilizing a processor to determine available energy resources, market prices, and initiate transfers based on defined charging criteria, incorporating features like green energy ratings and AI for optimal resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electric vehicles charge using renewable energy sources from the electrical grid, then environmental benefits are achieved, but grid congestion and volatility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidgrid stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables vehicles to discharge energy back to the grid or other vehicles, inverting the traditional unidirectional charging flow. This bidirectional capability allows vehicles to become mobile energy storage units that can stabilize the grid during peak demand periods while maintaining renewable energy usage benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy management system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle battery and the electrical grid, coordinating charging and discharging operations to optimize grid stability while maintaining environmental benefits. The system manages energy flow to prevent grid congestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If solar and wind resources are used for vehicle charging, then renewable energy utilization increases, but energy supply becomes intermittent and unpredictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy utilizationVSAvoidenergy supply consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging of vehicle batteries when renewable energy is abundant and prices are low, storing energy for later use. This advance preparation ensures energy availability during periods when renewable generation is insufficient, smoothing out the intermittency issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy management system continuously monitors renewable energy availability, grid conditions, and pricing signals, using this feedback to dynamically adjust charging and discharging operations. This real-time optimization ensures maximum renewable utilization while maintaining supply reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional charging capability is added to vehicles, then energy management flexibility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy management flexibilityVSAvoidcharging system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional charging system is designed to perform multiple functions: charging from the grid, discharging to the grid, vehicle-to-vehicle energy transfer, and battery management. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy management system automatically makes decisions about charging and discharging based on predefined criteria and real-time conditions, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual intervention. The system self-manages the complexity while providing simple user benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12417466B2Aggregated energy management system—infrastructure

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 VOLVO CAR CORP

AI summary

Aggregated energy management (e.g., using a computerized tool) is enabled. For example, a system can comprise a memory that stores computer executable components, and a processor that executes the computer executable components stored in the memory, wherein the computer executable components comprise an energy component that determines an energy resource available to a bidirectional charging station electrically coupled to a vehicle, and based on current energy market demand, a unit price applicable to the energy resource, and a charging component that, based upon a defined charging criterion being determined to be satisfied, initiates a transfer of the energy resource between the vehicle and the bidirectional charging station according to the unit price.