EV Charger Reservation Rescheduling During Grid Cost Events

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicle charging systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust reservations in response to grid events, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs for charging entities.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for providing dynamic charger reservations, which involves identifying an initial reservation, calculating an estimated time of arrival and arrival state of charge, detecting grid events, and generating revised reservations with lower costs, accompanied by compensation offers to users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If charging entities maintain fixed reservations for electric vehicles, then users have guaranteed charging availability, but charging entities incur higher costs during peak grid events and cannot manage demand effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservation flexibilityVSAvoidcharging availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts reservation parameters (time, location, compensation) based on real-time grid conditions and cost signals. Reservations are no longer static but can be modified through automated negotiations between charging entities and users, allowing the system to adapt to changing grid events while maintaining charging availability through flexible re-scheduling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where grid event data and cost information are continuously monitored and fed back to adjust reservation parameters. Compensation offers are generated based on feedback from grid conditions, and reservation modifications are negotiated iteratively until agreement is reached or alternatives are found

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 3:

The system changes key parameters of reservations (timing, location, compensation amount) in response to grid events. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the system maintains reservation validity while adapting to adverse grid conditions, allowing charging entities to shift load away from peak events without completely canceling reservations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If charging entities charge during peak grid events, then user reservations are fulfilled, but infrastructure stress increases and costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging service deliveryVSAvoidgrid stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively modifying reservations before peak grid events occur. By detecting grid events in advance and negotiating reservation changes ahead of time, the system prevents peak-time charging without last-minute disruptions to users, thereby reducing grid stress while maintaining service delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of peak demand (grid stress) into a benefit by using grid event detection to trigger reservation modifications. The adverse condition of high grid stress becomes the signal that drives the system to reschedule charging to off-peak times, transforming a harmful situation into an opportunity for load management and cost reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If charging entities offer compensation to users for reservation changes, then users accept revised times, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser acceptanceVSAvoidnegotiation system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling automated negotiation between charging entities and users without requiring manual intervention. The complexity of generating compensation offers, evaluating user responses, and finalizing revised reservations is handled autonomously by the system, reducing operational burden while maintaining ease of user acceptance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system acts as an intermediary that automates the complex negotiation process between charging entities and users. By introducing an automated mediation layer that handles compensation calculations, offer generation, and agreement coordination, the system manages the inherent complexity while presenting a simple interface to users for acceptance or rejection of offers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12229693B2Systems and methods for dynamic charger reservations

Publication Date: 2025.02.18 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods for dynamic charger reservations are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying an initial reservation for an electric vehicle to receive a charge from a charging entity at a first place at a first time. The method also includes calculating an estimated time of arrival and an arrival state of charge of at a reservation time. The method further includes detecting a grid event that changes the first cost for the charging entity. The method yet further includes generating a revised reservation for the electric vehicle. The method includes generating an initial compensation offer based on the estimated time of arrival and the arrival state of charge. The method also includes providing the revised reservation and the initial compensation offer to a user. The method further includes updating the initial reservation to the revised reservation in response to receiving a confirmation from the user.