EV Battery Discharge Target Selection for User-Aware VPP Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electric vehicles (EVs) may lose motivation to participate in virtual power plants (VPPs if the power supply to determined discharge destinations is not advantageous, disrupting energy optimization.

Innovation Solution

A power supply managing system that includes a charge amount recognizing section, a scheduled date-and-time-of-use recognizing section, and a power supply target determining section to identify optimal power supply targets based on the charge amount, current time, and target attribute information, ensuring that power is supplied to users and facilities in a manner that enhances participation motivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If power supply targets are determined based on current SOC and charge-requesting SOC of EV batteries, then power supply can be organized in the VPP, but user motivation to participate in VPP is reduced when power supply is not advantageous to users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply organization efficiencyVSAvoiduser participation motivation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by notifying users of the determined power supply targets and providing information about power supply conditions. This allows users to understand how their battery power is being utilized and provides transparency that maintains participation motivation even when power supply targets are optimized based on SOC metrics rather than user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If power supply targets are determined solely based on battery charge amounts, then power supply optimization is simplified, but the system cannot ensure advantageous power supply for users with upcoming usage needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply determination complexityVSAvoiduser power supply advantage
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by determining power supply targets in advance based on current battery charge amounts before users actually need the power. By notifying users of the determined targets ahead of time, the system allows users to plan accordingly while maintaining simplified SOC-based determination logic. This preliminary determination ensures users receive advantageous power supply information before making usage decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the system notifies users of determined power supply targets, then user awareness and motivation are enhanced, but additional communication infrastructure and processing are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser awareness of power supplyVSAvoidnotification system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system acts as an intermediary between the power supply management system and users. It translates complex power supply target determinations based on SOC metrics into user-friendly notifications that inform users of their determined power supply targets. This intermediary layer enhances user awareness without requiring direct complex system-user interaction, maintaining simplicity while improving communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4296115A1Power supply managing system and power supply managing method
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4296115A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4296115A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4296115A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a power transmission/reception system capable of enhancing motivation of users of movable bodies including batteries, such as EVs, to participate in a VPP. A power supply system (1) including a charge amount recognizing section (32) that recognizes a charge amount of a battery (7) mounted on a movable body (5), wherein when the movable body (5) is in a state where power supply from the battery (7) to a charge and discharge apparatus (13) is possible, a power supply target is determined based on the charge amount of the battery (7) and a current time, the power supply target being to undergo power supply from the battery (7) .