EV Charging Management System for Peak Demand Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cumulative addition of electric vehicle charging and facility power consumption to the same power meter during a billing period leads to increased electricity charges and peak demand, resulting in higher operating costs for enterprises and increased demand for power plants.
Innovation Solution
A charging management system that monitors facility power consumption and time-variant electricity pricing to control the charging schedule of electric vehicles, prioritizing charging during off-peak periods and using power storage devices when facility power consumption is high, thereby reducing peak demand and distributing power consumption more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electric vehicles are charged during facility operation hours, then charging convenience is improved, but maximum power consumption increases leading to higher electricity charges
Solution Approach 1:
The charging management system dynamically adjusts charging schedules based on real-time facility power consumption data and electricity pricing information. The system transitions from static charging arrangements to dynamic scheduling that adapts to changing power demand conditions, allowing vehicles to charge during low-demand periods when facility power consumption is lower.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter of charging operations by shifting charging times from peak demand periods to off-peak periods. This parameter change in charging schedule timing reduces the superposition effect with facility power consumption, thereby lowering maximum power consumption and associated electricity charges while maintaining overall charging throughput.
2Speed
If electric vehicles are charged during peak demand periods, then charging speed is improved, but electricity charges increase due to highest power consumption billing
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic charging cycles that alternate between high-speed charging during off-peak periods and reduced charging during peak periods. This periodic scheduling allows vehicles to receive substantial charging during low-cost periods, reducing the need for high-speed charging during expensive peak periods while still meeting operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary charging of electric vehicles during off-peak periods before peak demand occurs. By pre-charging vehicles when electricity rates are lower and facility power consumption is reduced, the system reduces the need for high-power charging during peak periods, thereby lowering electricity charges while maintaining vehicle availability.
3Productivity
If multiple electric vehicles are charged simultaneously, then fleet productivity is improved, but maximum demand on power meter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging load across multiple time periods and facilities. Instead of concentrating all charging demand in a single location and time, the system divides charging operations into different time slots and potentially different facility locations, reducing peak demand at any single point while maintaining overall fleet charging throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically balances charging distribution across the fleet by monitoring real-time power consumption and adjusting charging assignments. This dynamic load management allows multiple vehicles to be charged efficiently while preventing excessive concentration of demand that would increase maximum power consumption and electricity charges.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented charging management method is provided for controlling the charging schedule of an electric vehicle charging device. The power consumption for the electric vehicle charging device and the power consumption for a facility are cumulatively added to a same power meter for calculating utility bill during a billing period. First, the power consumption for the facility is monitored to obtained facility power consumption data. Time-variant electricity pricing data, specifying electricity price periods and respective electricity rates, applied to the power meter is also obtained. The charging schedule of the electric vehicle charging device is then controlled, according to the power consumption for the facility and the time-variant electricity pricing data, to perform charging process to at least one electric vehicle.