Vehicle Battery Charge Management System Peak Load Balancing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently managing the charging of batteries in vehicles to balance the load on the power distribution system, as simultaneous recharging by multiple users can exceed available supply, leading to high demand and potential overload, especially during peak hours.
Innovation Solution
A charge management system (CMS) that communicates with utility companies via local area networks or powerline carriers, allowing users to set charging parameters, which can be adjusted by utility companies to optimize charging times and reduce peak demand, and enables charge return from vehicles to the grid when not needed immediately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple users recharge batteries simultaneously, then the charging demand increases, but the power distribution system becomes overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling charging tasks in advance based on predicted power availability and user preferences. The charge management system analyzes forecasted power distribution capacity and pre-arranges charging times, preventing overload by ensuring that charging demands are distributed according to available capacity before the actual charging occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging parameters in real-time based on actual power distribution conditions. The charge management system continuously monitors power availability and modifies charging rates, start times, and durations to match actual system capacity, allowing flexible adaptation to changing conditions while maintaining reliable operation.
2Reliability
If charging is delayed to off-peak hours, then the power distribution load is balanced, but the user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where users receive notifications about scheduled charging times and can provide preferences or constraints. The charge management system incorporates user feedback to adjust scheduling, balancing load distribution with user convenience by considering factors such as vehicle usage patterns, user availability, and priority levels when determining optimal charging times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes charging parameters such as start time, duration, and power rate based on a combination of power distribution conditions and user preferences. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can schedule charging during off-peak hours when load balancing is needed while still meeting user requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between system reliability and user convenience.
3Loss of time
If the charging rate is increased, then the recharging time is reduced, but the power demand on the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by implementing variable charging rates throughout the charging process. Instead of maintaining a constant high power rate, the system adjusts power delivery in periodic intervals, increasing rate when power is available and decreasing when capacity is constrained. This periodic modulation reduces peak power demand while still achieving reasonable recharging times through cumulative energy transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-coordinating high-rate charging with periods of available power capacity. The charge management system identifies time windows where power demand is low and schedules accelerated charging during these periods, preventing power demand conflicts before they occur. This proactive approach allows faster recharging without creating peak demand problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring module monitors a charge level of a battery in a vehicle. A network interface module transmits a first set of charging parameters for charging the battery to a utility company and receives a reply and a charge return request from the utility company for returning charge from the battery to the utility company. The first set of charging parameters includes the charge level of the battery and a first time of the day for charging the battery. The reply includes a second time of the day for charging the battery. A control module generates a first signal based on the reply and the first set of charging parameters, and a second signal based on the charge return request and charge return parameters. A charging module charges the battery based on the first signal. A charge retrieval module returns the charge based on the second signal.