EV Battery Charging for Predicted Power Outages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack the ability to predict and prepare for power outages, leading to reduced functionality and reliability during such events.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-based system that determines the severity and length of predicted power outages, calculates an optimal battery charge level, and autonomously charges the battery to that level to ensure continued functionality during the outage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle continuously charges the battery to maximum capacity, then the battery charge level is improved, but the energy waste increases when charging is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions based on predicted outage events. The processor determines a target charge level based on predicted outage severity and length, then initiates charging to reach that target level before the outage occurs, rather than continuously charging or charging after the outage has already impacted the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the battery management system to determine current charge levels, comparing them against dynamically adjusted target charge levels based on real-time outage predictions, and modulating charging actions accordingly to maintain optimal charge without overcharging or unnecessary energy consumption
2Reliability
If the vehicle monitors and adjusts battery charge based on predicted outages, then the functionality during outage is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing vehicle processor and battery management system to perform multiple functions: normal battery monitoring, outage prediction analysis, target charge level calculation, and charging control. By making these existing components multi-functional rather than adding dedicated separate systems, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving reliable outage preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own processor and battery management system serve the dual purpose of both monitoring battery status and making intelligent charging decisions based on predicted outages. The system uses its existing computational resources and data access capabilities to autonomously determine optimal charge levels and execute charging commands without requiring external control systems
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation includes one or more of: determining, by a vehicle, a severity and a length related to a predicted outage at a location; determining, by the vehicle, an optimal charge of a battery of the vehicle prior to the predicted outage, wherein the optimal charge is based on the severity and the length; comparing, by the vehicle, a current charge of the battery to the optimal charge; and charging, by the vehicle, the battery to the optimal charge when the current charge is below the optimal charge.