Networked EV Power Conversion for Off-Grid Site Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
When using multiple electric vehicles to supply loads at an off-grid site, the power and energy demands can exceed the capabilities of a single power conversion unit, leading to sub-optimal energy usage and insufficient power delivery if not coordinated properly.
Innovation Solution
A system where each power conversion unit connected to an electric vehicle communicates its available power and energy with peers at regular intervals, and an analytics process determines the optimal utilization of the units and vehicles based on their individual energy and power limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple electric vehicles are connected without coordination to supply loads, then the total energy available increases, but the power delivery becomes insufficient and energy usage becomes sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power conversion units into a coordinated networked system that aggregates power from multiple electric vehicles. The control circuits and analytics processes merge individual vehicle power contributions into a unified power delivery system, transforming separate energy sources into a coordinated power supply that meets both energy quantity and power delivery requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power distribution from each electric vehicle based on real-time analytics of available energy, power limits, and load demands. The control circuits continuously optimize power allocation across the networked vehicles, enabling adaptive power delivery that responds to changing conditions while maintaining optimal energy utilization.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple electric vehicles are connected without coordination, then more energy sources are available, but energy usage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The analytics processes continuously monitor and analyze the available energy and power limits of each electric vehicle in the network, using this feedback information to optimize power distribution. The control circuits adjust power allocation based on real-time vehicle states, ensuring efficient energy utilization from each source and minimizing energy losses through coordinated management.
3Device complexity
If a single power conversion unit is used, then the system complexity is low, but the power and energy capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power conversion function across multiple independent power conversion units, each connected to a separate electric vehicle. This segmentation allows the system to aggregate power capacity from multiple vehicles while maintaining modular, manageable units with individual control circuits, balancing complexity and capacity through distributed architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a novel system and method where multiple electric vehicle communicate with their peers at every time interval to determine the optimal utilization of power and energy from the different electric vehicles as a function of their individual available energy and power limits. The method and system to enable this networked power and energy management system are claimed in this invention.