Smart EV Load Management for Panel-Limited Charging Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles strains household and building electrical infrastructure, often leading to overloaded circuits and potential safety hazards due to unmonitored and unbalanced power distribution, as traditional EVSE units cannot be installed without upgrading the electrical panels to accommodate the additional load.
Innovation Solution
A smart load manager (SLM) apparatus measures power consumption and communicates with intelligent EVSE units to dynamically adjust charging rates based on available power, allowing for the installation of more EVSE units without upgrading electrical panels, by reducing EV charging rates when other loads are high and maximizing charging when loads are low.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional EVSE units are installed to charge electric vehicles, then electric vehicle charging capability is improved, but the electrical infrastructure becomes overloaded and circuits trip
Solution Approach 1:
The EVSE unit dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on real-time monitoring of the electrical infrastructure load. The controller continuously monitors circuit status and modifies charging parameters to prevent overloading, allowing the system to adapt between high-power charging when capacity is available and reduced-power operation when other loads are active, thus maintaining both charging capability and infrastructure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the EVSE controller monitors the electrical infrastructure load and receives status information about circuit capacity. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts the charging power output to stay within safe operational limits, preventing circuit tripping while maximizing charging efficiency when possible
2Quantity of substance
If the maximum power load is increased to accommodate more EVSE units, then the number of EVSE units that can be installed is improved, but the risk of circuit tripping and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters by dynamically adjusting the power consumption of each EVSE unit based on real-time load conditions. Rather than increasing the maximum power load capacity, the system modifies the actual power draw parameters to fit within available capacity, enabling multiple EVSE units to operate safely without requiring infrastructure upgrades or increasing safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows multiple EVSE units to be installed and operational simultaneously, but implements partial action by reducing the power output of individual units when total load approaches maximum capacity. This enables the quantity of EVSE units to increase while preventing excessive total power consumption that would cause circuit tripping or safety hazards
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the inventive concept measure the amount of electrical power being consumed in one or more houses or buildings, before the utility meter or meters. These measurements are used by a smart load manager (SLM) apparatus, in addition to information about the maximum capacity of the electrical lines that are being measured, to maximize the number of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) units that can be installed in the one or more buildings, and maximize the amount of power that is available for electric vehicle (EV) charging at any given time.