EV Charging Control Optimizing Power Rates via Dynamic Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle charging systems do not efficiently manage charge schedules to minimize power rates and reduce peak load on the electric power system, as the power rate is not always proportional to charge time and can be higher during peak demand periods.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that calculate the charge slope and schedule based on actual measurements, controlling the charger to charge during low-demand time slots and postpone charging during high-demand periods, thereby optimizing the sum of charging power rates and reducing peak power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If charging is performed during peak power time slots, then the battery can be charged quickly, but the power rate increases and the load on the electric power system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging speedVSAvoidpower rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The charging control apparatus dynamically adjusts the charging schedule based on time-varying power rates. The controller modifies charging parameters in real-time according to the current time slot and corresponding power rate, transitioning between different charging states (charging, waiting, fast charging) to optimize the balance between charging speed and power rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the charging parameter (charging power) based on the time slot and power rate conditions. By adjusting the charging power parameter dynamically - reducing it during high power rate periods and increasing it during low power rate periods - the system resolves the contradiction between charging speed and power rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If charging is postponed to low power demand time slots, then the power rate decreases, but the total charge time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower rateVSAvoidcharge time
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The charging process is divided into periodic time slots with different power rate characteristics. The controller implements periodic charging cycles, alternating between charging phases during low power rate periods and fast charging phases during high power rate periods, optimizing the overall balance between power rate and charge time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary charging during low power rate time slots before peak demand periods. By advancing the charging action to off-peak hours, the system reduces the power rate during peak periods while ensuring the battery is sufficiently charged, thereby balancing power rate reduction with acceptable charge time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the charger operates at fixed output, then the charging process is simple, but the power rate cannot be optimized according to time slot variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharger control complexityVSAvoidpower rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The charging control apparatus incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the current time slot and corresponding power rate. Based on this feedback information, the controller automatically adjusts the charging schedule and power output, enabling dynamic optimization of power rate without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically determining the optimal charging schedule based on time slot and power rate conditions. The controller independently makes charging decisions without external intervention, adjusting charging parameters according to real-time conditions, thereby optimizing power rate while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3054552B1Apparatus and method for economically charging electronic vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORP
  • EP3054552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3054552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3054552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for economically charging an electric vehicle, the apparatus including: an input unit configured to receive an input of charge state information of a vehicle from a charger; a control unit configured to calculate a charge slope based on an actually measured charge state information of the vehicle, compute a charge schedule based on the charge slope and a power rate for each time slot, and control the charger in accordance with the charge schedule; and a storage unit configured to store the charge state information and the charge schedule.