EV Fleet Charging Rate Control for Dispatch Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging electric vehicle batteries at high rates for fleet operations leads to battery degradation and insufficient charge when not in use, while keeping subsystems running drains the battery.
Innovation Solution
Implement dispatch-based charging that adjusts the charging rate based on predicted service times, using a fleet management system to determine optimal charging rates to balance battery health and readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high rate charging is used to quickly charge EV batteries for fleet operations, then charging speed is improved, but battery longevity and capacity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The charging rate is dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions including battery state of charge, temperature, and predicted service timing. The system transitions from static high-rate charging to adaptive charging that modulates power delivery to balance speed and battery health preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery conditions and predicted service timing before initiating charging. By anticipating when the vehicle will be needed, the system can plan charging profiles that avoid excessive high-rate charging while ensuring adequate charge levels before service events
2Quantity of substance
If EV continues charging until put into service to ensure full charge, then battery charge level is improved, but battery degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of required charge levels based on predicted service timing and operational requirements. Instead of charging to maximum regardless of needs, the system determines the sufficient charge level required for upcoming service events, avoiding unnecessary extended high-rate charging that would degrade the battery
Solution Approach 2:
The charging profile parameters are adjusted based on predicted service timing. The system changes charging rate, duration, and termination conditions dynamically rather than using fixed parameters, optimizing the balance between achieving sufficient charge and minimizing degradation
3Reliability
If subsystems are kept running while EV is not in service to maintain operational readiness, then system readiness is improved, but battery charge level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of subsystem power requirements and battery charge projections before service events. By predicting when service is needed and calculating projected charge levels, the system can determine whether to keep subsystems running or enter low-power mode, preventing battery depletion while maintaining necessary readiness
Solution Approach 2:
The operational state of subsystems is dynamically adjusted based on real-time battery charge levels and predicted service timing. The system transitions subsystems between active and low-power states adaptively, rather than maintaining fixed operational states, to balance readiness requirements with battery conservation
Data Source
AI summary
An electric vehicle (EV) is charged according to a selected charging rate. An available dispatch time is determined based on a current charge level of a battery of the EV, a first charging rate, and a target charge level. An anticipated dispatch time is determined based on predicted demand for a fleet of EVs that includes the EV. If the available dispatch time is later than the anticipated dispatch time, the first charging rate is selected; if the available dispatch time is earlier than the anticipated dispatch time, a second charging rate that is lower than the first charging rate is selected. The second charging rate may be a rate that charges the battery of the EV to at least the target charge level in time for the anticipated dispatch time.