Multi-Modal EV Charging Control Plane for Grid Demand Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient and integrated method to manage and control the energy consumption and charging of time-shiftable devices like electric vehicles and appliances, which hinders optimal integration with the electric grid and fails to provide utilities with demand flexibility and cost savings.
Innovation Solution
A multi-modal control plane system that enables communication between devices and an energy provider through an API, with reinterpretation layers to collect and interpret data, allowing for centralized control and planning of energy output, user interaction, and override capabilities via mobile applications or computer programs, thereby optimizing energy usage and grid integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized control system is implemented to manage multiple time-shiftable devices, then demand flexibility and grid integration are improved, but device complexity and system infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control plane as an intermediary layer between utilities and time-shiftable devices. This control plane includes components such as a device manager, charging coordinator, and pricing signal processor that mediate communication and control signals. The intermediary architecture allows centralized demand flexibility management without requiring direct complex connections between utilities and each device, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent functional components including device managers for individual devices, a central charging coordinator, pricing signal processors, and communication interfaces. Each segment handles specific tasks independently, allowing the overall system to achieve high adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. This segmentation enables scalable deployment without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple control pathways are provided for different device types, then ease of operation and user accessibility are improved, but device complexity and integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane is designed with universal multi-functional components that can handle multiple device types through standardized interfaces. The device manager and charging coordinator can work with electric vehicles, appliances, and energy storage devices using common communication protocols and control mechanisms. This universality allows users to operate different device types through consistent methods while the system handles the complexity of device-specific requirements internally, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and integration requirements.
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring and control of device charging is implemented, then energy optimization and cost savings are improved, but data processing requirements and system resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by receiving and processing pricing signals and grid condition information in advance, then pre-planning optimal charging schedules before actual charging occurs. The charging coordinator determines charging strategies based on forecasted electricity prices and grid conditions, allowing devices to charge during optimal times without requiring continuous real-time monitoring and adjustment. This approach achieves energy optimization while reducing the computational resources needed during actual charging operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing a multi-modal control plane for device energy consumption and charging is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of devices each having a charging mechanism in selective electrical communication with an energy provider which supplies a charge to each of the plurality of devices via the charging mechanism. One or more reinterpretation layers translate the information received from the plurality of devices. A control plane receives the information from the plurality of devices and transmits the information to an aggregation service to collect the plurality of information, interpret the plurality of information, and to control and plan output of energy from the energy provider.