Quick-Charge Station With Energy Storage For Grid Load Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric vehicle charging stations face limitations in providing rapid charging due to power grid restrictions, leading to long charging times and logistical complexities, especially when multiple vehicles need to be charged simultaneously, and existing solutions for self-sufficient charging are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

A charging station design that incorporates a load-changing-resistant energy storage device connected via an AC/DC converter to the AC power supply, allowing for the storage and delivery of electrical energy from the general power grid, which helps manage peak demand and prevent grid overload by providing additional power when needed, thereby enabling parallel rapid charging of multiple vehicles without overloading the grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If fast-charging stations provide very high currents for rapid charging, then charging time is reduced, but the power grid becomes overloaded due to limitations imposed by the general power grid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging timeVSAvoidpower grid capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by storing electrical energy in the load-change-resistant energy store before peak charging demand occurs. The energy store is charged during periods of low demand and then delivers stored energy during rapid charging operations, enabling high power delivery without overloading the grid at critical moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The load-change-resistant energy store acts as an intermediary between the power grid and the charging stations. It buffers the mismatch between grid capacity and peak charging demands, allowing the grid to operate within its limits while enabling fast charging when needed by drawing from stored energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple accumulators are charged in parallel at high power, then productivity increases, but the AC power supply and general power grid become overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel charging capacityVSAvoidAC power supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The energy store performs preliminary energy accumulation during low-demand periods, enabling multiple charging stations to operate in parallel at high power without requiring the AC power supply to be continuously oversized for peak concurrent demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temporal distribution of power delivery parameters. Instead of requiring continuous high power capacity from the AC supply, the energy store enables high power delivery during charging events while accepting lower power during inter-event periods, effectively decoupling peak power requirements from continuous power supply capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the AC power supply is adapted for higher currents to support parallel rapid charging, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging station capacityVSAvoidpower supply infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than immediately upgrading the AC power supply infrastructure to handle peak parallel charging currents, the patent uses preliminary energy storage to bridge the gap. This allows the existing AC supply to operate within its rated capacity while the energy store provides the additional power needed for high-capacity parallel charging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The load-change-resistant energy store serves as an intermediary that enables high-current parallel charging without requiring proportional upgrades to the AC power supply infrastructure. It absorbs the stress of peak demand, protecting the existing power supply from overload while enabling enhanced charging capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for faster charging of multiple electric vehicles without overloading the power grid, reducing waiting times for customers and minimizing the need for costly infrastructure upgrades, while ensuring the energy storage device can supply high currents temporarily without damaging the system, thus enhancing the usability and efficiency of existing charging stations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one load-changing-resistant energy store with an energy storage control unit, the load-changing-resistant energy store connected via an AC/DC converter to the AC power supply of the charging station for storing electrical energy from the general power grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAC/DC conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2647522B1Electricity charging point with quick-charge stations
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 ENRICHMENT TECH CO LTD
  • EP2647522B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2647522B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2647522B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The station (1) has a fast-charging station (41) connected to alternating current (AC) power supply (2) that is connected to a power grid (6) through a transfer point (5). Load change-resistant energy storage unit (7) is connected to the AC power supply through an AC to direct current converter (9), and includes an energy store control unit that triggers dispensing of electric energy to the AC power supply after receiving a demand signal such that the power grid or the AC power supply of the station is not overloaded by parallel quick charges. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating an electric charging station (2) a method for reequipping an electric charging station with existing an alternating current power supply.