EV Charging Port Threshold Control for Facility Demand Curtailment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facilities face challenges in managing the increased energy demand from electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, leading to higher utility tariffs and potential overload on power systems, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a facility load management system that dynamically adjusts the charging rates of EV charging ports within a group to maintain total energy consumption below a threshold, using load distribution strategies and controllers to manage EV charging loads, ensuring maximum availability and delivery of energy while avoiding overloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If EV charging stations operate at maximum rated charging rate, then charging speed and user satisfaction are improved, but total energy consumption exceeds group threshold and utility tariffs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the threshold charging rate of individual EV charging ports based on real-time monitoring of total group energy consumption. When the group threshold is approached, the controller automatically reduces the charging rate of available ports from maximum to threshold levels, creating a dynamic balance between charging speed and energy consumption limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (charging rate) of EV charging ports from a fixed maximum value to a variable threshold value. The controller modifies the threshold charging rate parameter based on the difference between current total consumption and the group threshold, allowing the system to adapt charging rates to energy availability while preventing tariff-triggering consumption levels.
2Productivity
If multiple EV charging ports are made available simultaneously, then service capacity and user convenience are improved, but risk of power system overload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors total energy consumption of the charging station group and uses this feedback to adjust the threshold charging rate of individual ports. This closed-loop control ensures that even when multiple ports are available for service, their combined consumption remains below the group threshold, preventing power system overload while maintaining high service capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the total group energy threshold into individual port threshold charging rates. By dividing the group threshold among multiple charging ports based on their availability and maximum rated rates, the system enables simultaneous operation of multiple ports while ensuring the sum of their consumption does not exceed the overall power system capacity.
3Loss of energy
If threshold charging rate is reduced to stay below group threshold, then energy cost and utility tariffs are controlled, but charging efficiency and user satisfaction decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the threshold charging rate based on real-time conditions rather than using a fixed reduced rate. When total group consumption is well below the threshold, individual ports can operate at higher rates (improving charging efficiency). When consumption approaches the threshold, rates are reduced (controlling energy costs). This dynamic adjustment optimizes both cost control and charging efficiency based on current system state.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for maintaining electrical energy or power consumption or output of a charging station group on-site at a facility below a group threshold charging rate. Charging station groups may include one or more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations each with one or more EV charging ports having a corresponding maximum rated charging rate. Maintaining electrical energy or power consumption or output below a group threshold charging rate may include assigning a threshold charging rate to each of the one or more EV charging ports, identifying a charging port status of each of the one or more charging ports, increasing or decreasing the threshold charging rate of one or more of the EV charging ports that are identified as having a charging port charging status to an increased or decreased charging rate, and controlling each the one or more EV charging ports with an associated threshold charging rate.