EV Charging Control for Peak Power and User-Selected Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles faces challenges in efficiently managing peak power demand, leading to increased costs for charging site providers and potential customer dissatisfaction due to limitations in simultaneous charging capacity.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically adjust charging modes based on real-time data and user preferences, optimizing the use of charging power by allowing end users to select between preferred and alternative charging modes, thereby reducing peak demand and improving resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the charging power of the charging site is dimensioned according to the maximum power required by all charging points simultaneously, then all charging points can be operated at maximum power, but the connection fee and equipment costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of charging power distribution based on real-time demand. The system monitors the number of vehicles present and adjusts the charging power allocated to each charging point dynamically, rather than providing static maximum power to all points simultaneously. This allows the charging infrastructure to adapt its capacity utilization to actual needs, reducing peak demand requirements and associated equipment costs while maintaining full service capability when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If the charging power is reduced to lower equipment costs, then connection fees and equipment expenses decrease, but not all charging points can be operated simultaneously at maximum power
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of charging points based on real-time conditions. When demand is high, charging points operate at maximum power; when demand is low, power is reduced or reallocated. The control system adjusts voltage, current, and power distribution parameters dynamically, allowing the same physical infrastructure to deliver varying levels of service capacity without requiring oversized equipment for peak demand scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If maximum charging power is allocated to all charging points, then customer satisfaction increases, but the average peak power billing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors charging demand, vehicle presence, and power consumption patterns. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts power allocation to charging points in real-time. When fewer vehicles are present, power consumption is reduced accordingly; when demand increases, power is scaled up. This feedback mechanism ensures that peak power billing reflects actual usage patterns rather than theoretical maximum capacity, while still providing full service when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A charging arrangement (1) for electric vehicles (2) comprises charging points (3, 4) connected to a common electric power supply connection (5). Each one of the charging points (3, 4) is configured to enable charging of one electric vehicle (2) at a time. The charging arrangement (1) also comprises at least one control unit (6) for controlling charging events at one or more of the charging points (3, 4). The control unit (4) is configured to receive at least charging resource data of the charging arrangement and charging event data about concurrent charging events at the charging points (3, 4) of the charging arrangement (1), to identify a change concerning the charging events; to determine dynamically in response to the identified change concerning the charging events a preferred charging mode for at least a first charging event on the basis of at least the charging resource data and concurrent charging event data; to generate output data configured to be provided for an end user of the first charging event, the output data enabling the end user to select between the determined preferred charging mode and at least one second charging mode; and to control, on the basis of a mode selection response indicating a selection of the preferred charging mode or the at least one second charging mode received from the end user, charging power supply of at least the first charging event.