Consumer Point ID Control for Renewable-Aware EV Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no known solution for broadly controlling the switching on or charging of mass-produced energy-consuming electrical devices and electric vehicles to align with energy generation peaks from renewable sources, leading to inefficiencies in energy cost optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method and control arrangement that uses a uniquely coded consumer point identification identifier to manage the switching on or charging of devices via a network connection, utilizing a service provider's API to optimize energy costs by synchronizing with energy supply contracts, allowing devices to switch on or charge only when excess renewable energy is available, and recording energy consumption for cost discounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If mass-produced electrical appliances and electric vehicles are switched on or charged without control, then energy consumption increases, but energy cost optimization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy costVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically manages the switching on or charging of electrical appliances and electric vehicles by receiving activation releases from the service provider server, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while optimizing energy costs through automated decision-making based on energy supply contracts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes continuous communication between the control unit and service provider server via API, where the control unit requests activation releases and receives automated responses based on current energy availability and contract conditions, enabling dynamic optimization of energy consumption timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If renewable energy generation is increased, then energy supply surplus occurs during peak generation, but energy demand alignment is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenewable energy generationVSAvoidenergy surplus time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider server pre-establishes energy supply contracts that define conditions for energy consumption activation, enabling automated triggering of electrical appliance or electric vehicle operation when renewable energy surplus conditions are met, thus proactively aligning demand with generation peaks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts energy consumption timing based on real-time energy supply conditions and contract parameters, allowing flexible activation or charging decisions that adapt to varying renewable generation patterns and grid conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If automated control system is implemented for energy optimization, then energy cost optimization is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy costVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service provider server acts as an intermediary between energy suppliers and end consumers, centralizing the complexity of energy optimization logic and contract management on the server side while keeping the control unit relatively simple, thus distributing system complexity to where it can be most effectively managed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a communication interface with the service provider server and as the execution device for activation or charging decisions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4297224A1Method and control arrangement for managing the activation or charging of power-consuming electric appliances and / or electric vehicles and electric appliance and electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4297224A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4297224A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4297224A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

In order to control an electrical appliance (EE) with an associated or integrated power supply (PSS) that consumes electrical energy at an energy consumption point by switching on to an operating state or by charging a battery, for the purpose of optimizing energy consumption by identifying the energy consumption point for a temporary operating or charging period, it is proposed that (i) a uniquely coded consumer point identification identifier (CPI) is generated as signal information of a modulation signal on a low-voltage network section (LVSS) between an energy consumption meter and a network connection point (EZG), (ii) the unique encoding of the consumer point identification identifier contained in the modulation signal is recognized by the power supply (EKN), (iii) the consumer point identification identifier is passed on to a control unit (CU) of the electrical appliance (WTU).(iv) the control unit, by means of an authorization request triggered by the transmission of the consumer point identification code, requests permission to switch on (EFG) or charge (LFG) the electrical appliance from a service provider server (SAB-SV) to use a service offered by a service provider (SAB) for optimizing energy costs (EK) of electrical appliances (afg) and the consumer point identification code is transmitted to the service provider server (SAB-SV) (übg), (v) the service provider server responds with the switch-on or charge authorization and the electrical appliance is automatically switched on or charged under contract-related energy supply conditions for energy cost optimization.