EV-Grid Power Rail Switching for Peak Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical power grid faces challenges in efficiently managing power distribution to consumer loads, especially with the increasing need for charging electrical vehicles, which can burden the grid and lead to inefficiencies and higher costs during peak times.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution control system that includes a circuit breaker box capable of concurrently supplying power from both the electrical grid and an electrical vehicle to different loads, controlled by a controller that adjusts power distribution based on factors like load importance, time of day, and energy costs, allowing for precise management of energy consumption and cost savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electrical vehicles are charged from the electrical power grid during peak times, then the power grid can supply power to the electrical vehicle, but the burden on the electrical power grid increases and energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of electrical vehicles during off-peak hours when energy costs are lower and grid burden is reduced. The controller monitors energy costs and automatically schedules charging operations to occur during optimal times, thereby avoiding peak-time charging costs and grid strain.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker box system autonomously manages power distribution by detecting energy cost variations and automatically switching between grid power and alternative power sources. The controller continuously monitors conditions and makes real-time decisions about power sourcing without manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself optimally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the circuit breaker box concurrently supplies power from both the electrical grid and electrical vehicle to different loads, then power distribution flexibility increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit breaker box is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple power sources (grid and electrical vehicle) and serve multiple loads simultaneously. The system can operate in various modes including grid-only charging, vehicle-to-load power supply, and hybrid concurrent operation, making it a universal power management solution that adapts to different scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages the complex interactions between multiple power sources and loads. It monitors power availability, load requirements, and energy costs, then automatically switches and balances power flow between sources. This intermediary control layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing decision-making logic and automating complex switching operations.
3Productivity
If the controller adjusts power distribution based on load importance, time of day, and energy costs, then energy consumption optimization improves, but the measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements continuous feedback monitoring of energy costs, time of day, and load conditions to dynamically adjust power distribution decisions. The system receives real-time data about energy pricing variations and load priorities, processes this information, and automatically modifies power flow accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to optimize energy consumption by responding to changing conditions without requiring overly complex measurement systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power distribution control system (20) may include a grid interface (32), a grid power rail (36), an electrical vehicle (EV) interface (40), an EV power rail (44) connected to the EV interface (40), a first load interface (50-1) for connection to a first external load (70-1), a second load interface (50-2), and a controller (30). The controller (30) is configured to output control signals to switches (58-1,58-2) to actuate the system (20) between a first system state in which power on the EV power rail (44) is supplied to the first load interface (50-1) and power on the grid power rail (36) is concurrently supplied to the second load interface (50-2); a second system state in which power on the EV power rail (44) is concurrently supplied to the first load interface (50-1) and the second load interface (50-2); and a third system state in which power on the grid power rail (36) is concurrently supplied to the first load interface (50-1) and the second load interface (50-2).