Battery Charger Management Switch for Grid Peak Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing popularity of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) leads to higher peak-to-average power ratios on the power grid, causing power quality issues and increased load demand, as they require significant power to charge, leading to inefficient energy consumption and higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A charging management system comprising a switch and a charging management module that controls the electrical connection between a charging device and a power source, allowing current to flow only during designated periods and disconnecting when a battery reaches a set threshold, reducing unnecessary power consumption and peak demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plug-in electric vehicles are charged continuously or during peak hours, then the battery charging function is fulfilled, but the peak-to-average power ratio increases and power quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charging management module implements periodic charging cycles by controlling the switch to connect and disconnect the charging device at predetermined time intervals. This periodic action distributes the power demand over time, reducing peak-to-average ratio and improving power quality while still fulfilling the battery charging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling charging during off-peak hours before peak demand periods. The charging management module predicts power quality conditions and proactively charges the battery during periods of lower grid stress, preventing power quality deterioration before it occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the charging device remains connected to the power source continuously, then the battery can be charged at any time, but unnecessary power consumption increases and charging costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The switch controls periodic connection and disconnection of the charging device to the power source based on predetermined time intervals and power quality conditions. This ensures the battery is charged during optimal periods while avoiding continuous power consumption, reducing energy loss and charging costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging management module receives feedback from the power quality monitoring unit about current grid conditions and adjusts the charging schedule accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain charging availability while optimizing power consumption based on real-time conditions.
3Productivity
If multiple plug-in electric vehicles are charged simultaneously, then the charging demand is met, but the load demand on the power grid increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging load by dividing it into multiple time-based charging sessions for different vehicles. Instead of simultaneous charging, each vehicle receives charged during different time intervals, reducing the peak load demand on the power grid while still meeting the overall charging throughput requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple vehicles are charged in periodic cycles rather than simultaneously. The charging management module coordinates staggered charging schedules across different vehicles, creating a distributed periodic pattern that maintains productivity while limiting peak power demand.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus comprising a switch (220) and a charging management module (222). The switch is configured to control an electrical connection between a charging device (212) for a battery (216) and a power source (9204). A current flows from the power source through the charging device to the battery to charge the battery when the electrical connection is present between the charging device and the power source. The charging management module is configured to identify a period of time for charging the battery and to control the switch to electrically connect the charging device for the battery to the power source during the period of time identified for charging the battery.