EV Charging Station Matching for Surplus PV Power Trading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The stability of power grids is compromised by excess power supply from solar photovoltaic systems, leading to output curtailment and loss of generated power, which reduces profitability for users.

Innovation Solution

A power trading apparatus and method that facilitates transactions between photovoltaic power generation facilities and electric vehicles, allowing surplus PV power to be sold to EV charging stations, with the system selecting optimal charging stations based on EV location and state, calculating transaction prices, and providing route guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surplus PV power is supplied to the power grid, then power grid stability deteriorates due to frequency and voltage fluctuations, but if output curtailment is applied to prevent this, then power loss increases and profitability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower grid stabilityVSAvoidPV power loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary trading system that mediates between PV power generators and EV charging stations. This intermediary platform enables surplus PV power to be traded to EV charging stations rather than being curtailed or directly impacting grid stability, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining grid stability and preventing power loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of surplus PV power (which threatens grid stability) into a beneficial resource by enabling its trade to EV charging stations. The previously wasted or curtailment-subjected power becomes a valuable commodity that can be utilized elsewhere, transforming the problem into an opportunity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If output curtailment is frequently applied to maintain power grid stability, then power loss increases, but without curtailment, power grid stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower grid stabilityVSAvoidPV power generation utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a trading system that proactively manages surplus PV power before it causes grid stability issues. The system predicts and prepares for surplus power scenarios by enabling pre-arranged trading with EV charging stations, thus avoiding the need for reactive curtailment that reduces productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If a power trading system is implemented to utilize surplus PV power, then power loss decreases and profitability improves, but system complexity increases due to matching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePV power lossVSAvoidtrading system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling EV charging stations to autonomously participate in the trading system. The charging stations can independently offer their power reception capabilities and automatically engage in transactions based on available surplus PV power, reducing the operational complexity of centralized matching while still achieving effective power utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4712011A1Power trading device and method
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4712011A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712011A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4712011A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power trading device according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: at least one processor; and memory for storing at least one command that is executed through the at least one processor. The at least one command may include: a command to collect information about electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that can perform charging using photovoltaic (PV) power and driving information about an EV; a command to generate information about recommended EV charging stations, including location information about one or more EV charging stations, using the information about the EV charging stations and the driving information about the EV; a command to transmit the information about the recommended EV charging stations to a management device of the EV and determine whether to carry out a power transaction on the basis of reply information received from the management device of the EV; and a command to provide route information to the management device of the EV when the power transaction is carried out, the route information including the location of the EV charging station with which the power transaction has been carried out.