EV Charging Station Power Management for Multi-Source Home Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart house systems lack a common standard for device communication and energy management, making it costly and complex to integrate electric vehicle charging stations and other energy sources, especially in older homes, and fail to efficiently distribute power between producers and consumers.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) with a single point of connection to the power grid, equipped with a computational device for data exchange and power management, allowing it to evaluate and control power flow from various sources, including solar energy and storage, to optimize energy use and distribution within the local network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If smart meters are installed to manage power distribution, then energy management capability is improved, but installation cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The EV charging station is designed to perform multiple functions: it charges electric vehicles, manages power distribution from multiple sources (grid, solar, storage), and provides energy management capabilities. By making the charging station universal rather than single-purpose, the system avoids the need for separate smart meters and multiple specialized devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining energy management functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are implemented for device compatibility, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charging station incorporates a communication interface that acts as an intermediary, capable of translating between different communication protocols. Rather than implementing multiple protocol stacks throughout the entire system, the interface layer handles protocol conversion, allowing the station to communicate with various smart meters and network devices using their native protocols while maintaining a unified internal communication standard.
3Use of energy by moving object
If power is drawn from grid during peak demand, then energy availability is improved, but energy cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by charging energy storage devices (batteries) during off-peak hours when grid electricity is cheaper and more abundant. The computational device forecasts energy prices and demand patterns, then schedules charging operations in advance to avoid peak demand periods. This allows the system to have energy available during peak times without actually drawing expensive peak-demand power.
Solution Approach 2:
The computational device continuously monitors grid energy prices, demand patterns, and the state of energy storage devices. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts the charging strategy, deciding when to charge from the grid, when to use stored energy, and when to charge vehicles. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to changing energy prices and avoid expensive peak demand charging.
4Adaptability or versatility
If local energy storage is added to the network, then energy independence is improved, but initial investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the energy storage function with the existing EV charging station infrastructure. Rather than adding separate, standalone storage systems to each home, the charging station itself incorporates or is closely integrated with energy storage devices. This shared infrastructure approach allows multiple vehicles and even multiple homes to share the same storage capacity, reducing the per-unit investment cost while still providing energy independence benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns an electrical vehicle charging station for at least one electric vehicle in a network including at least a house, energy producers, and energy consumers.