Buried Bulk Battery Buffering for Fast EV Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle charging systems face inefficiencies in charging time, cost, and reliance on utility lines, leading to grid constraints and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
A buried large bulk battery system using linear programming for optimized charging management, incorporating trickle charging, time-of-day optimization, and renewable energy integration to reduce dependency on utility lines and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electric vehicles are charged using utility lines, then charging infrastructure is simple, but charging time is long and grid constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk battery stores energy in advance during off-peak hours when utility power is abundant and inexpensive. This preliminary energy accumulation enables fast charging during peak demand periods without overloading the grid, thus reducing charging time while maintaining infrastructure simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk battery acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the utility grid and the EV charging system. It buffers the mismatch between grid power availability and EV charging demand, enabling fast charging without directly increasing grid load and avoiding grid constraints.
2Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged during peak hours, then user convenience is improved, but energy costs increase and grid constraints worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the bulk battery during off-peak hours when energy costs are lower. This advance energy storage allows EVs to be charged quickly during peak hours at reduced cost, improving user convenience while minimizing energy costs through time-of-day pricing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging cycles where the bulk battery is charged during off-peak periods and discharged during peak periods. This periodic operation aligns with utility pricing structures, providing fast charging during peak hours at lower effective costs while reducing overall energy expenses.
3Productivity
If fast charging is provided, then user satisfaction improves, but energy efficiency decreases and heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk battery serves as an intermediary that decouples the fast charging process from direct grid connection. By providing high-power discharge to the EV while receiving power from the grid at a controlled rate, the bulk battery enables fast charging without proportionally increasing energy losses, as it operates at optimal efficiency points for both charging and discharging.
4Power
If more utility power is used for charging, then charging capacity increases, but grid constraints worsen and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk battery acts as a buffer that enables high charging capacity without proportionally increasing grid power demand. By storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during high-demand charging, the system provides high power output to EVs while smoothing grid load and reducing peak constraints and associated emissions.
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
The system reduces charging time, lowers costs, and minimizes environmental impact by optimizing energy use, leveraging off-peak hours and renewable energy sources, thereby promoting the adoption of electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
A controller in a charging management system uses linear programming to determine a charging profile for a bulk battery
Implementation Method 2
the buried batteries in the ground not only decreases their weight but also effectively dissipates the heat they generate
Data Source
AI summary
A buried large bulk battery, which is a significant component of the charging station's infrastructure that serves as a power source for charging electric vehicles. The proposed system and method provide a novel approach to optimizing EV charging station operations by leveraging linear programming and bulk battery storage. This invention addresses the challenges of grid demand, cost management, and renewable energy integration, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for the growing EV market.