EV Charging Port Rate Control Under Facility Power Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Facilities face challenges in managing the increased energy demand from electric vehicle charging stations, leading to higher utility tariffs and potential overload on power systems, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A facility management system that dynamically adjusts the charging rates of individual EV charging ports within a group to maintain total energy consumption below a threshold, using load distribution strategies and real-time monitoring to optimize energy delivery to EVs while avoiding circuit breaker limits and utility tariffs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the charging rate of EV charging ports is increased to meet higher energy demand, then the productivity and user satisfaction improve, but the total energy consumption exceeds the group threshold charging rate leading to utility tariffs and power system overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging rateVSAvoidtotal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the threshold charging rate of individual EV charging ports based on real-time monitoring of the total energy consumption of the charging station group. When the group threshold is approached, the controller automatically reduces the charging rate of specific ports, and when capacity is available, it increases the charging rate, creating a flexible and adaptive energy management system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of EV charging ports by adjusting the threshold charging rate from a fixed value to a variable parameter that responds to group-level energy consumption conditions, allowing each port to operate at optimal rates while maintaining overall system balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the threshold charging rate is reduced to avoid utility tariffs and prevent power system overload, then the energy consumption is controlled, but the charging speed and user satisfaction decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcharging speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly reducing the charging rate across all ports, the system applies local quality by selectively adjusting the threshold charging rate of individual EV charging ports based on their specific operational status, vehicle battery requirements, and real-time group energy consumption levels, ensuring that charging speed is maintained where possible while controlling overall energy usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment of charging rates is implemented, then the energy distribution efficiency improves, but the device complexity and control system requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy distribution efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the total energy consumption of the charging station group and using this information to dynamically adjust the threshold charging rate of individual EV charging ports, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes energy distribution without requiring complex external management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller automatically manages the dynamic adjustment of charging rates based on real-time monitoring data, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex external control systems, as the system self-regulates to maintain optimal energy distribution and prevent threshold violations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4578720A1Systems and methods for curtailing energy demand of one or more electric vehicle charging stations of a facility
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP4578720A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4578720A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4578720A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for maintaining an electrical energy or power consumption or output of a charging station group on-site at a facility below a group threshold charging rate. Charging station groups may include one or more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations each with one or more EV charging ports having a corresponding maximum rated charging rate. Maintaining an electrical energy or power consumption or output below a group threshold charging rate may include assigning a threshold charging rate to each of the one or more EV charging ports, identifying a charging port status of each of the one or more charging ports, increasing or decreasing the threshold charging rate of one or more of the EV charging ports that are identified as having a charging port charging status to an increased or decreased charging rate, and controlling each of the one or more EV charging ports with an associated threshold charging rate.