EV Charging Load Control with Solar Priority and Battery Buffering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric vehicle charging station infrastructure relies heavily on grid electricity, which is often sourced from fossil fuels, leading to limited carbon footprint reduction and potential local brown-outs due to high electricity demand during peak hours, especially when using Level 3 chargers.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a microprocessor control center (MPCC) that prioritizes the use of photovoltaic (PV) generated energy and battery stored energy (BSE) to form the charging load, with solar panels mounted on fueling station canopies, and off-peak charging of BSE to prevent brown-outs and optimize energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Level 3 chargers are used to provide fast charging, then charging speed is improved, but local brown-outs occur due to high electricity demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by charging the battery storage system during off-peak hours when electricity demand is low and rates are cheaper. This stored energy is then available to support fast charging during peak hours, preventing brown-outs before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery storage system acts as an intermediary between the grid and the fast chargers. It buffers the high power demand of Level 3 chargers, drawing from stored energy during peak periods rather than directly pulling from the grid, thus preventing brown-outs.
2Productivity
If transmission grid electricity is used to supply EVCS, then charging infrastructure is established, but carbon footprint reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temporal parameter of energy consumption by shifting charging operations to off-peak hours when renewable energy availability is higher and fossil fuel generation is lower. This temporal redistribution reduces the carbon intensity of charging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by operating chargers during specific time periods (off-peak hours) when renewable energy is more abundant and carbon emissions are lower, rather than continuous operation during high-demand periods.
3Productivity
If multiple quick chargers operate at full capacity, then charging throughput is improved, but transmission grid problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage system is charged in advance during off-peak periods, building up energy reserves that can support multiple fast chargers operating simultaneously during peak periods without overloading the grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery storage system serves as an intermediary buffer between the grid and multiple fast chargers, decoupling their operation. This allows high throughput at the charging stations while maintaining grid stability by limiting direct draw from the transmission system.
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 ensures that renewable energy is used directly and at top priority, preventing local brown-outs by using stored energy during peak hours, thereby reducing carbon emissions and optimizing energy efficiency in EVCS infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
integrate and optimize the distribution of photovoltaic (PV) generated energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a Microprocessor Control Center for controlling an Electric Vehicle Charging Station, and methods thereof, which include a load center for aggregating a charging load from a renewable energy source, a battery stored energy source, and electricity taken directly from the transmission grid when the battery storage depleted. The objective of the system is to maximize the use of the renewable energy source which is used directly and at first priority. The use of an energy storage system prevents local brown-outs which can occur when large amounts of electricity is quickly removed from the grid. The energy storage system is recharged from the grid off-peak when rates and house-hold usage are lowest. In a preferred embodiment, the renewable source is solar power, in other embodiments the renewable source can be wind, tidal and biomass. The solar panels are located on the weather canopy roof at petroleum retail fueling sites.