EVSE Controller Manages Peak Power Draw and Charging Fairness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing EVSE management systems do not consider individual drivers' timing requirements or willingness to purchase additional electricity at low prices, leading to unfair access and potential peak demand issues, while also not effectively managing load shedding events.
Innovation Solution
A controller-managed system that prioritizes requests in a queue to ensure fair access to EVSEs, limits aggregate power draw, and considers user preferences and electricity prices to allocate charging opportunities, with the ability to adjust during load shedding events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large banks of EVSE are installed to meet aggregate demand, then charging capacity is improved, but peak power draw increases and may exceed electrical service limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the power output of individual EVSE units based on real-time aggregate power draw conditions. When the total power consumption approaches the electrical service limit, the controller reduces or shuts off power to less critical charging stations while maintaining power to high-priority vehicles, thereby managing peak demand without sacrificing overall charging capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of EVSE units by adjusting their power output levels. The controller monitors aggregate power draw and dynamically modifies the power delivery parameter of individual chargers, scaling them back from full power to partial power or complete shutdown based on system-wide demand conditions and vehicle priority classifications
2Ease of operation
If EVSE are allocated on first-come, first-served basis, then short-term fairness is improved, but long-term energy distribution may be inefficient and unfair
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors vehicle battery charge levels, remaining energy requirements, and historical charging patterns. This feedback enables the system to adjust EVSE allocation dynamically, prioritizing vehicles that need charging soonest while ensuring that all vehicles eventually receive adequate energy distribution over the long term, rather than simply serving vehicles in arrival order
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of vehicle energy requirements when vehicles arrive at the charging station. By evaluating battery state, remaining capacity needs, and predicted departure times in advance, the controller can pre-allocate charging resources and prioritize vehicles that will benefit most from immediate charging, improving both short-term fairness and long-term energy distribution efficiency
3Power
If the system limits aggregate power draw to stay under electrical service limits, then power consumption is controlled, but individual drivers may not receive adequate charging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different power allocation policies to different individual EVSE units based on local conditions. While the aggregate power draw is limited system-wide, the controller can allocate higher power levels to specific vehicles with greater energy needs, longer expected parking durations, or higher priority classifications, ensuring that individual drivers receive adequate charging even under overall power constraints
4Productivity
If the system considers individual driver preferences and pricing, then charging allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables vehicles to self-report their energy requirements, priority levels, and charging preferences through onboard communication systems. This self-service approach allows the controller to efficiently allocate charging resources based on vehicle-specific needs without requiring complex manual assessment procedures, thereby improving allocation efficiency while keeping the control system relatively simple
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing vehicle charging stations such that when at least two of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (also known as electric vehicle service equipment, or EVSE) occupied with vehicles awaiting a charge, the present system manages the charging of individual vehicles in cases where the aggregated demand for charging exceeds the capacity of the circuits supplying the plurality of EVSE. By cycling so that only a few of the vehicles are charging at a time, the demand on the circuits is kept below a predetermined limit. In cases where a load shedding event is in progress, the limit can be further reduced. In cases where the cost of electricity is varying dynamically, the system considers a driver's explicit charging requirements (if any) and preferences for opportunistic charging when the price of electricity is not too high.