EV Battery Charger Scheduling for Peak Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing power infrastructure is unable to meet the demand for widespread use of electric vehicles, as charging them would place excessive strain on community power systems already struggling to meet peak demands, necessitating innovative solutions for efficient energy distribution and utilization.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle charger system that includes a controller and display, allowing users to manually control the charging process by setting start and end times, adjusting charge rates, and monitoring power usage, thereby optimizing when and how much energy is drawn from the grid, and includes communication capabilities with remote controllers to manage power distribution efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged during peak demand times, then user convenience is improved, but strain on power infrastructure worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging batteries during off-peak hours when power demand is low. The controller schedules charging operations to occur during periods of reduced grid load, thereby preparing the vehicle batteries in advance without contributing to peak demand strain on the power infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging cycles that alternate between peak and off-peak periods. By distributing charging operations across different time periods rather than concentrating them during peak demand, the system reduces instantaneous power strain while still meeting user charging needs over the course of a day.
2Productivity
If charging rate is increased to reduce charging time, then productivity is improved, but use of energy by stationary object worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on real-time conditions including grid power availability, battery state of charge, and user-defined preferences. The controller modulates the charging current to optimize the balance between charging speed and energy consumption, rather than maintaining a fixed high-rate charging regime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters such as charging current and voltage levels according to the charging stage and grid conditions. By varying these electrical parameters, the system achieves efficient energy transfer while preventing excessive power draw that would strain the stationary power infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple vehicles are charged simultaneously, then quantity of substance is improved, but power infrastructure capacity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging load across multiple time periods and individual vehicles. Rather than charging all vehicles simultaneously at full power, the controller distributes charging operations sequentially or in staggered batches, dividing the total power demand into manageable portions that the existing infrastructure can handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to serve multiple vehicles with a single charging station through intelligent load management. The controller allocates power resources universally across connected vehicles based on priority, battery needs, and grid availability, enabling one infrastructure unit to support multiple vehicles without requiring proportional infrastructure capacity for each.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.