Vehicle Battery Charger Scheduling for Peak Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power infrastructure is inadequate to meet the demand for widespread use of electric vehicles, as charging them would place excessive strain on community power systems, especially during peak hours when power draw is already high.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charger system that includes a controller and display, allowing users to manually control the charging process by setting start and end times, adjusting charge rates, and monitoring power usage, which communicates with a remote controller to optimize charging based on user input and power availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged during peak hours to meet user needs, then user convenience is improved, but strain on power infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging batteries during off-peak hours before they are needed. The controller monitors battery state of charge and automatically charges during periods of low power demand, ensuring batteries are ready for use during peak hours without contributing to infrastructure strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging cycles based on power availability and battery needs. Rather than continuous charging during peak demand, the controller enables periodic charging sessions during off-peak hours when power is abundant, creating a rhythm of charge-discharge that aligns with power infrastructure capacity.
2Productivity
If charging rate is increased to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rates based on real-time conditions including power availability, battery state of charge, and temperature. The controller modulates charging current to optimize between charging speed and power consumption, preventing excessive draws that would strain infrastructure while still achieving adequate charging rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting charging voltage and current based on battery needs and power availability. The controller monitors battery voltage, current, and temperature to dynamically modify charging parameters, enabling efficient charging that adapts to changing conditions rather than maintaining fixed high-rate charging.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple vehicles are charged simultaneously to meet fleet needs, then quantity of service is improved, but power demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging load by dividing the fleet into multiple charging groups that are charged at different times. The controller monitors power availability and allocates charging capacity to different vehicles or battery packs sequentially or in staggered batches, preventing simultaneous high-power draws that would exceed infrastructure capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial charging actions by charging only the necessary portion of the fleet at any given time based on power availability. Rather than attempting to charge all vehicles simultaneously at full rate, the controller distributes power across multiple vehicles at reduced rates or sequences charging to match available power capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.