Telematics System for Electric Vehicle Charging Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of electric vehicles is straining electricity supplies, particularly during periods of high demand, leading to potential power outages due to unmanaged charging loads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a telematics system that monitors and manages the charging of electric vehicles through a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider, allowing for demand response programs to reduce electricity consumption by aggregating data and issuing instructions to vehicles to adjust their charging activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electric vehicles charge during periods of high electricity demand, then the vehicles can be recharged quickly and conveniently, but the load on electricity suppliers increases and may cause power outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-charging electric vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low. The telematics system monitors electricity demand patterns and schedules charging activities in advance during periods when the grid has excess capacity, thereby avoiding the need to charge during peak demand periods when power supply stability is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts charging rates and schedules based on real-time electricity demand conditions. The telematics unit communicates with the electricity supplier to receive demand signals and modifies the charging profile accordingly, increasing charging rate when supply is abundant and reducing it when demand is high, thus balancing charging needs with grid stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of electric vehicles increases, then more consumers can benefit from electric transportation, but the burden on electricity suppliers grows faster than supply capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging load across different time periods and geographic locations. By dividing the fleet into multiple groups that charge at different times and locations, the system distributes the total charging demand across the electricity grid in a way that prevents any single period or region from being overloaded, thus accommodating more vehicles without proportionally increasing peak supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic charging cycles where vehicles are charged during off-peak periods and remain idle or operate during peak periods. This periodic pattern of charging and operation allows the fleet to grow while maintaining a manageable peak load on the electricity supply, as not all vehicles require charging simultaneously.
3Reliability
If demand response programs are implemented to reduce peak demand, then power supply stability is improved, but charging flexibility and convenience for vehicle users may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the telematics unit monitors both electricity demand conditions and vehicle charging status in real-time. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts charging schedules to balance grid stability requirements with user convenience, notifying users of schedule changes and providing options for alternative charging times that minimize impact on their operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The telematics system acts as an intermediary between electricity suppliers and vehicle users during demand response events. It translates grid stability requirements into user-friendly charging schedule adjustments, communicates with both parties to coordinate charging activities, and provides users with information about the reasons for schedule changes and the benefits to the overall system, thereby maintaining user acceptance and convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present invention contemplate using the communication infrastructure represented by a network of telematics units communicatively coupled to a telematics service provider (TSP) to implement procedures designed to curtail the load placed on electricity suppliers by electric vehicles during periods of critically high demand for electricity. The present invention contemplates monitoring charging related information for multiple electric vehicles through the telematics units in those vehicles. The invention further contemplates a request from an energy utility for a response to a critically high demand for electricity and the execution of a demand response program (DRP). The DRPs involve aggregating information from a fleet of the electrically powered vehicles, processing the aggregated information, and issuing instructions to one or more vehicles in the fleet that cause the one or more vehicles to reduce the load they are placing on electricity suppliers through their charging activities.