Electric Bus Fleet Configuration Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to determine an optimal configuration for electric public transportation systems that balance fleet size, on-board battery parameters, and charging infrastructure, particularly in meeting predefined timetables and geographic route profiles, while considering the interplay between these components and external factors like renewable energy and grid connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically determine the fleet size, on-board battery parameters, and charging infrastructure parameters by simulating electric power consumption, computing battery lifetimes, and optimizing an objective function under constraints, including timetables, geographical route profiles, and external factors like weather and renewable energy availability, to ensure efficient and cost-effective deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fleet size and charging infrastructure are increased to meet timetables and route profiles, then the reliability and service quality improve, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying key parameters including fleet size, battery capacity, charging power, and charging infrastructure configuration to find optimal combinations that meet timetable requirements while controlling costs. The optimization process explores different parameter sets to balance reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing comprehensive simulations and optimizations during the planning phase before actual deployment. This allows the system to predetermined optimal configurations for fleet size, battery parameters, and charging infrastructure, avoiding the need for complex adjustments after deployment.
2Duration of action of moving object
If larger on-board batteries are installed in electric public transportation vehicles to extend operating range, then the duration of action and route coverage improve, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes battery parameters including capacity and weight by systematically evaluating different battery configurations against operational requirements. The system finds the minimum necessary battery size to achieve required operating ranges while minimizing weight and cost constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by determining that full battery capacity is not always necessary - the optimization may reveal that smaller batteries combined with strategic charging stops at infrastructure locations achieve the same effective operating range with reduced weight and cost.
3Productivity
If charging infrastructure is expanded to support more vehicles and faster charging, then the productivity and fleet utilization improve, but the cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes charging infrastructure parameters including charging power levels, station locations, and operational schedules to maximize fleet utilization while minimizing energy consumption. The system evaluates different charging strategies to find the optimal balance between productivity and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by using simulation results to iteratively refine charging infrastructure configurations. The optimization process incorporates performance feedback from simulated operations to adjust charging schedules and infrastructure placement, improving productivity while controlling energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for determining a configuration for deployment of a public transportation system including a plurality of electric public transportation vehicles, in particular electric buses, are disclosed. At least one processor may determine, prior to deployment of the public transportation system and based on received information on timetables and geographical route profiles, a fleet size of a fleet of electric public transportation vehicles, on-board battery parameters of on-board batteries to be installed in electric public transportation vehicles, and charging infrastructure parameters associated with a charging infrastructure to be installed for charging the on-board batteries of the electric public transportation vehicles.