Centralized EV Charging Management System for Power Grid Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The widespread charging of electric vehicles can lead to a significant power demand, potentially causing a shortage of power supply in areas, as one nuclear power plant can only charge about 20,000 cars, and simultaneous charging in large numbers may overwhelm the power infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A management system that includes a centralized device to estimate power consumption and supply in each area, distribute power from surplus areas to deficit areas, and inform vehicles of available charging stations with surplus power, preventing power shortages by optimizing charging times and locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large number of electric cars are charged simultaneously in a particular area, then the charging demand is met, but power supply shortage occurs in that area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging capacityVSAvoidpower supply stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the power supply system into multiple regional power networks, each managed by a local power management device. The centralized management device segments the charging load across different regions by estimating power consumption for each area and directing vehicles to charging stations in regions with surplus power capacity, preventing localized power shortages while maintaining overall charging productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized management device acts as an intermediary between vehicles and local power management devices. It receives power information from local devices, estimates charging power consumption for different areas, and generates complementary information to balance power distribution. This intermediary coordinates power flow across regions, ensuring reliable power supply while meeting charging demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If power is distributed from surplus areas to deficit areas, then power supply shortage is prevented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of power estimation, balance determination, and charging coordination into a centralized management device that operates autonomously. By combining these functions in one device rather than distributing complex control logic across multiple devices, the system achieves reliable power distribution while minimizing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized management device automatically estimates power consumption, determines power balances, and generates complementary information without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates power distribution by processing information from local devices and autonomously making balancing decisions, reducing operational complexity while maintaining supply reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2608146B1Management device, method of management, computer program, management system, and management method
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP2608146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2608146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2608146B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A management device is provided with a train information receiving unit, a power information receiving unit, a charging information estimation unit, and a local power consumption estimation unit. The train information receiving unit receives, from a train travelling by electric power, train information concerning the travel of the train. The power information receiving unit receives power information concerning the power in the power network from a local power management device controlling the supply of power to each local power network. The charging information estimation unit estimates for each train the location where each train is next charged on the basis of the train information. The local power consumption estimation unit estimates the amount of power consumption in each local power network on the basis of the estimation result by the charging information estimation unit and the power information.