Cooperative EV Charging via Power Line Token Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for electric vehicle charging poses a strain on existing power grids, leading to potential infrastructure failures or costly upgrades, as current central controller systems require significant computing power and have a single point of failure, necessitating additional communications infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cooperative charging system that uses power line communications to form self-contained local area networks among electric vehicle chargers serviced by the same distribution transformer, allowing them to form a token ring network, which manages energy distribution to prevent overloading and distribute energy requests efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a central controller system is used to manage electric vehicle charging, then charging coordination can be achieved, but the system requires tremendous computing power and creates a single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized charging management system into distributed autonomous agents deployed at individual charging stations. Each agent independently manages charging decisions locally, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized controllers while maintaining coordinated charging through peer-to-peer communication between agents.
2Extent of automation
If a central controller system is implemented, then charging management is possible, but additional communications infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables charging station agents to utilize existing communication infrastructure (power lines, wireless networks, or wired connections) that is already present in the electrical grid. The autonomous agents can adapt to use whatever communication medium is available, eliminating the need for dedicated additional communication infrastructure while maintaining charging management capabilities.
3Productivity
If multiple electric vehicles are charged simultaneously, then charging demand is met, but distribution transformers may be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic load management where autonomous agents continuously monitor transformer capacity and adjust charging rates in real-time. When transformer capacity is sufficient, multiple vehicles charge simultaneously at high rates; when capacity is constrained, agents dynamically reduce charging rates or sequence charging requests, preventing overload while maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where charging agents monitor transformer load conditions and use this information to adjust charging decisions. The agents receive feedback on available capacity and modify charging rates accordingly, ensuring that charging demand is met without exceeding transformer capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution prevents distribution transformer overload and potential failures by managing energy distribution among electric vehicle chargers independently, reducing the need for additional communications infrastructure and eliminating single points of failure, thereby ensuring safe and efficient charging operations.
Implementation Method 1
a charger for the electric vehicle may include a power line communication (PLC) communication module for communicating with other chargers that are being serviced by the same, local distribution transformer
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system provide for the cooperative charging of electric vehicles. By using power line communications, chargers of the electric vehicles who are serviced by the same distribution transformer can form self-contained local area networks due to the nature of power line communications. After the chargers of the electric vehicles are coupled to one another through power line communications, they can form a token ring network. According to this token ring network, a predetermined number of tokens can be assigned within the token ring network for permitting chargers with tokens to charge respective electric vehicles while chargers without tokens must wait until they receive a token to initiate charging.