EV Charging Station Dynamic Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inefficiency of existing electric vehicle charging systems and stations, which are often limited by the need for expensive infrastructure and lack of customization, lead to barriers in the widespread adoption of electric vehicles due to unutilized grid resources and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling electric vehicle charging stations that dynamically adjust output power based on real-time grid monitoring, allowing for coordinated and efficient charging by enforcing an output power cap in response to electricity consumption caps, and enabling communication with on-board charging systems to customize charging modes based on vehicle identifiers, reducing the need for dedicated infrastructure and improving user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If DC EVSE is used to provide faster charging speeds, then charging capability is improved, but implementation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows electric vehicles to charge themselves by directly connecting to standard electrical outlets without requiring specialized DC EVSE infrastructure. The vehicle's onboard charging system handles the conversion and charging process, eliminating the need for expensive external DC charging equipment while maintaining charging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system is designed to work with standard AC electrical outlets that are universally available, rather than requiring specialized DC charging infrastructure. This multi-functional approach allows the same outlet infrastructure to serve both general electrical needs and EV charging needs, reducing implementation costs.
2Power
If high power charging stations are implemented to meet current demand, then charging capacity is improved, but infrastructure cost and grid resource reservation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts charging power based on real-time grid conditions and availability. Instead of provisioning for peak demand with fixed high-capacity infrastructure, the charging rate adapts to current grid capacity, allowing standard infrastructure to handle variable loads efficiently without requiring expensive upgrades for peak capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts that charging may not always occur at maximum possible speed by utilizing partial grid capacity during off-peak times. This approach trades some charging speed for reduced infrastructure requirements, allowing standard electrical infrastructure to handle EV charging without expensive high-power upgrades.
3Ease of operation
If a one-size-fits-all charging approach is used at charging facilities, then operational simplicity is maintained, but power usage efficiency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as charging rate and timing based on real-time conditions including grid availability, vehicle needs, and user preferences. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power usage efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through automated control, eliminating the need for manual user adjustments.
4Ease of operation
If specialized equipment with human-machine interface and security systems is installed at charging facilities, then user interaction capability is improved, but facility building cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for specialized charging facility equipment by allowing vehicles to charge at standard electrical outlets. Users simply plug in their vehicles, and the onboard charging system handles all interactions, authentication, and control functions that would otherwise require expensive specialized equipment, security systems, and human-machine interfaces at the facility.
Data Source
AI summary
At an electronic device that is coupled to a set of circuits configured to supply electricity to respective on-board charging systems of one or more electric vehicles: detecting activation of a first electric vehicle charging connection; in response to detecting the activation of the first electric vehicle charging connection, obtaining a first communication signal through the first electric vehicle charging connection; decoding the first communication signal to extract a respective vehicle identifier corresponding to an on-board charging system of a first electric vehicle that is connected to the set of circuits through the first electric charging connection; configuring a first charging mode for the on-board charging system of the first electric vehicle in accordance with the respective vehicle identifier; and enabling charging of the first electric vehicle through the first electric vehicle charging connection in accordance with the first charging mode.