EV Charging Control for Peak Demand and Battery Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing adoption of battery-powered vehicles strains electrical infrastructure, and existing technologies do not effectively manage charge patterns to reduce battery degradation and power demand.
Innovation Solution
A control unit manages battery charging by adjusting charge rates based on a minimum threshold and charge-adverse time periods, allowing override inputs and monitoring charge levels to optimize power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If battery-powered vehicles are adopted to provide environmentally friendly transportation, then environmental friendliness and convenience are improved, but strain on electrical infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by scheduling battery charging during off-peak hours before high-demand periods. The control unit predicts future power demand and proactively charges batteries when infrastructure strain is lower, preventing overload during peak times while still ensuring vehicles are ready for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rates based on real-time power demand conditions and battery state of charge. The control unit modifies charging parameters adaptively, increasing rates when infrastructure capacity is available and reducing rates when strain is high, optimizing the balance between environmental benefits and infrastructure protection.
2Speed
If high charge rates are used to charge batteries quickly, then charging speed is improved, but battery degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on the battery's current state of charge and temperature conditions. When the battery is partially charged and conditions are favorable, higher charge rates are applied to improve charging speed. As the battery approaches full charge or when temperature rises, the rate is reduced to minimize degradation and extend battery lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes charging parameters including current, voltage, and temperature thresholds based on battery state. By monitoring battery health indicators and adjusting charging parameters accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between charging speed and battery preservation, applying aggressive charging only when safe and beneficial.
3Power
If charging is restricted during charge-adverse time periods to reduce infrastructure strain, then power demand is reduced, but charging availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging actions during low-demand periods to ensure batteries are sufficiently charged before charge-adverse time periods begin. By anticipating user needs and power demand patterns, the system pre-charges batteries when infrastructure strain is low, maintaining charging availability for users while reducing overall peak demand on the electrical infrastructure.
4Reliability
If minimum charge thresholds are enforced to prevent battery depletion, then battery reliability is improved, but user flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum charge threshold based on predicted power availability, user behavior patterns, and battery state. Rather than enforcing a fixed threshold, the control unit adapts the threshold to balance battery reliability with user flexibility, allowing lower thresholds when renewable power is abundant or during off-peak hours, and higher thresholds when infrastructure strain is expected.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for controlling charging of vehicles, to avoid charging during charge-adverse time periods or during charge restriction events. This can advantageously reduce cost to vehicles owners, and or provide access to reward incentives. Further, power distribution entities (utility providers) advantageously have increased control over power distribution to avoid over-burdening of power distribution infrastructure. Further, systems and methods for determining or inferring whether a vehicle is connected to a charge station are described, which can be used to inform automatic restriction of vehicle charging.