Multifamily EV Charger Load Control at Main Service Entrances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical monitoring systems fail to effectively manage electrical loads in multifamily dwellings, often leading to overload scenarios when high amperage equipment like electric vehicle chargers are used, as they cannot easily monitor and control private electrical loads within the recommended percentage of available load at main service entrances and distribution points.
Innovation Solution
An electric vehicle energy management system with a first energy management component installed in the main electrical room and a second component in each dwelling unit, utilizing transceivers for wireless communication to monitor and modulate electrical loads, inhibiting high amperage device activation when load demand exceeds 80% at the main service entrance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electric vehicle chargers are installed in multifamily dwellings to meet increasing EV charging demand, then vehicle charging capability is improved, but electrical overload risk increases due to exceeding available load thresholds at main service entrances and distribution points
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of electrical loads at main service entrances and distribution points before allowing EV charger operation. The energy management components continuously measure line current and compare against threshold values, preventing overload conditions by blocking charger activation when thresholds are approached, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling EV charging and preventing electrical overload
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through bidirectional communication between energy management components installed at different electrical distribution points. The components exchange load information and coordinate their operations, allowing the EV charger to operate only when all monitored locations are within safe load thresholds, thereby enabling EV charging capability while maintaining electrical system reliability
2Reliability
If electrical monitoring is implemented at multiple distribution points to prevent overload, then electrical safety is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple monitoring locations and communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into separate energy management components, with each component independently installed at specific electrical distribution points (main service entrance and sub-feeders). Each component autonomously monitors local line current and communicates with others, dividing the complex monitoring task into manageable modular units, thus improving electrical safety through comprehensive monitoring while reducing overall system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Each energy management component is designed as a universal device that can be installed at different electrical distribution points and performs the same monitoring and communication functions regardless of location. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain electrical safety across multiple distribution points using standardized components, improving reliability while simplifying installation and maintenance compared to custom-designed monitoring systems
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical management system that is configured to measure electrical load demand at a minimum of two points wherein the invention permit, inhibits, or modulates operation of high amperage devices based on the instant load capacity at the main service entrance, sub-feed distribution points, and the multi-family dwelling breaker panel. Included is a first energy management component that is typically installed within a main electrical room. The first energy management component measures the load demand at the main service entrance in the electrical room and includes a communication transceiver or protocol. The transceiver is communicably coupled to a second transceiver wherein the second transceiver is operably coupled to a second energy management component. The second energy management component measures load demand at an individual unit level and communicates with the first energy management component via second transceiver. An electric vehicle charger is operably coupled to the second energy management component.