Battery Temperature Control for Cost-Aware Demand Response Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Virtual Power Plant systems, existing methods for adjusting battery temperature in electric vehicles to optimize charge/discharge characteristics in low temperatures either incur high power costs or fail to meet demand response timing, harming customer interests and complicating demand response operations.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus that calculates incentives and power costs for battery temperature adjustments and controls the temperature adjuster to ensure the battery reaches a target temperature by the start of charge or discharge, only executing operations when incentives exceed costs, thereby optimizing battery performance and reducing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is heated using a heater in a low temperature environment, then the charge/discharge characteristics of the battery are improved, but the power cost increases and the time needed for temperature adjustment harms customer interests
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary temperature adjustment of the battery before the demand response operation starts. By calculating the required temperature adjustment time and power cost in advance, and comparing it with the incentive from the demand response plan, the system determines whether to proceed with the operation. This preliminary action allows the battery to reach the target temperature at or before the start timing of charge/discharge, ensuring optimal characteristics while controlling power costs.
2Reliability
If the battery temperature is adjusted to the target temperature before the demand response start timing, then the charge/discharge characteristics are optimized, but the power cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus continuously monitors the battery temperature and compares it with the target temperature. Based on this feedback, it adjusts the heater operation dynamically. The system calculates the remaining time until demand response start and the current temperature rise rate, then determines the optimal heater power level to reach the target temperature exactly at the start timing, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring optimal charge/discharge characteristics.
3Loss of energy
If the demand response operation is executed without temperature adjustment, then the power cost is reduced, but the charge/discharge characteristics deteriorate in low temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus performs preliminary temperature adjustment of the battery before the demand response operation starts. By calculating the required temperature adjustment time and power cost in advance, and comparing it with the incentive from the demand response plan, the system determines whether to proceed with the operation. This preliminary action allows the battery to reach the target temperature at or before the start timing of charge/discharge, ensuring optimal characteristics while controlling power costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach ensures efficient execution of demand response plans by maintaining optimal battery charge/discharge characteristics, reducing power costs, and protecting customer interests by only proceeding with operations when incentives outweigh costs.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature adjuster configured to adjust a temperature of the battery to a target temperature at the time of charge or discharge of the battery
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
The present invention provides a control apparatus (50) configured to control a power unit (60), characterized in that the power unit comprises a battery (63), and a temperature adjuster (67) configured to adjust a temperature of the battery to a target temperature at the time of charge or discharge of the battery, and the control apparatus calculates, based on information concerning a demand response plan used to adjust a power demand and supply, an incentive obtained by charge or discharge of the battery by the demand response plan and a power cost needed to adjust the temperature of the battery to the target temperature by the temperature adjuster at the time of charge or discharge of the battery, and controls, in a case where the incentive is larger than the power cost, the power unit to execute charge or discharge of the battery by the demand response plan.