EV Backup Power Readiness Using Predicted Grid Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrified vehicles lack the capability to efficiently and timely transition to a backup power source during predicted power outages, leading to potential delays in providing energy to connected structures.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional energy transfer system in electrified vehicles that utilizes weather and grid data to predict power outages, automatically preparing the vehicle to transfer power to structures by waking up systems, initiating communications, and precharging components, thereby reducing delays in power transfer during actual outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the vehicle waits for actual power outage to prepare power transfer system, then system complexity is reduced, but response time increases causing delays in providing backup power
Solution Approach 1:
The control module performs preliminary actions by predicting power outages using weather data and grid data before actual outages occur. When a power outage is predicted, the system automatically enters a readiness state, pre-charges the power transfer system, and initiates communication protocols in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates delays when actual outages occur, enabling immediate power transfer while maintaining system simplicity through automated predictive control.
2Productivity
If the vehicle enters backup power readiness state automatically, then productivity is improved by reducing delays, but energy consumption increases due to precharging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary precharging operations only when power outages are predicted through analysis of weather data and grid data, rather than continuously or on-demand. This selective preliminary action reduces unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring the system is ready when outages actually occur, thereby improving power transfer efficiency without excessive energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module continuously monitors weather conditions, grid status, and vehicle state of charge to make intelligent decisions about when to activate the backup power readiness state. This feedback mechanism ensures the system only consumes additional energy when there is a predicted need, optimizing the balance between power transfer efficiency and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the system uses weather data and grid data for prediction, then reliability of power transfer is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and communication modules
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses weather data servers and grid data servers as intermediaries to provide prediction information, rather than requiring direct physical sensors for every parameter. The control module communicates with these external data sources through standard communication protocols, obtaining reliable power outage predictions without requiring complex proprietary sensing infrastructure. This approach improves reliability while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
4Loss of time
If the vehicle prepares for power transfer by waking up systems and precharging, then response time is reduced, but loss of time during normal operation increases due to frequent system activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary preparation actions only when power outages are predicted, rather than activating continuously or on every minor event. The predictive capability based on weather and grid data allows the system to remain in low-power state during normal operation and only activate preparation sequences when genuinely needed, minimizing unnecessary system activation time while ensuring rapid response when actual outages occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for preparing electrified vehicles to transfer energy to other structures. Weather related data and/or grid related data may be leveraged for predicting the likelihood of power outage conditions of a grid power source. When power outage conditions are predicted as being likely, the electrified vehicle may automatically enter a readiness state for transferring power to the structure without any time delays once an actual power outage condition occurs. Entering the readiness state may include steps such as waking up the electrified vehicle, initiating communications with electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), completing vehicle pre-checks, precharging certain power transfer system components, etc.