EV Charging Gateway With Energy Storage for Peak Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electric vehicles charging simultaneously stresses the electrical grid, potentially leading to local shutdowns and increased costs for companies, necessitating unsustainable grid upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A gateway system with a control module and energy module manages electricity distribution by storing energy, optimizing consumption and distribution across multiple charging points, using local production modules when needed, and adjusting to grid prices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of electric vehicles charging simultaneously increases, then the electricity demand on the grid increases, but the electrical grid becomes overloaded and may cause local shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway system performs preliminary actions by storing electricity in the energy module during off-peak periods when demand is low, before the peak charging demand occurs. This advance energy storage prevents grid overload when multiple vehicles charge simultaneously, as the gateway can supply stored energy during high-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary between the electrical grid and the charging points. It includes an energy module that buffers and regulates electricity flow, preventing direct transmission of peak demand to the grid. This intermediary storage system decouples the charging demand from the grid supply, maintaining grid stability.
2Power
If new electrical lines are built to support increased charging demand, then the grid capacity increases, but the cost and complexity of infrastructure renewal increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of renewing the entire electrical grid infrastructure, the solution segments the problem by adding localized energy storage modules at specific charging sites. Each gateway with its energy module independently manages peak demand at its location, avoiding the need for comprehensive grid upgrades across large geographical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy module changes the temporal distribution parameter of electricity consumption by storing energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak periods. This parameter transformation allows the existing grid infrastructure to support higher overall charging capacity without physical upgrades.
3Speed
If electricity is provided directly from the grid to charging points during peak demand, then the charging speed is fast, but the electricity costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway system implements periodic action by charging the energy module during off-peak periods when electricity is cheaper, and then using stored energy during peak periods when charging demand is high. This periodic charging pattern reduces overall electricity costs while maintaining fast charging availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module monitors grid conditions, electricity pricing, and energy module charge levels to dynamically adjust charging operations. This feedback mechanism optimizes the balance between using grid power and stored energy, minimizing electricity costs while ensuring charging points remain operational during peak demand.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Optimizes electricity use, preventing grid overloads and reducing costs by efficiently managing energy demand and supply, including peak loads and off-peak pricing.
Implementation Method 1
the gateway comprising a control module and an energy module for storing electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing a charge of a plurality of vehicles on a site, the site including a plurality of charging points and a gateway, the gateway being connected between an electricity grid of an electricity provider, configured to provide electricity to the gateway, and the plurality of charging points, the gateway including a controller and an electrical storage device that stores electrical energy. The method, operated by the controller, includes determining the electricity need of the plurality of charging points at a given time, if the electricity need of the plurality of charging points is greater than zero, determining the electrical consumption of the site, and if the electrical consumption of the site is greater than a predetermined site limit, providing electrical energy to the plurality of charging points using electricity at least partially received from the electrical storage device.