Supercapacitor Power Buffering for EV Charger Peak Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased demand for electric vehicle charging stations leads to peak energy charges, even for brief high energy demands, discouraging property owners from installation due to potential high utility costs, as existing solutions like battery modules charge slowly and are inefficient in managing peak demands.
Innovation Solution
A power-controlling device with supercapacitors is positioned between the electricity supply and EV charging stations, using an Energy Management System to manage energy demand, reducing the likelihood of peak charges by storing energy during non-peak times and releasing it during peak demand periods, ensuring rapid charging without triggering high utility charges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery modules are used to buffer peak energy demands, then energy storage capacity is improved, but charging time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy storage function into two distinct components: supercapacitors for rapid energy discharge during peak demand, and utility grid for baseline power supply. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal performance range, with supercapacitors handling transient peak loads without requiring full battery charging cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the utility grid, supercapacitors, and EV chargers. It intelligently manages power flow by detecting peak demand conditions and activating supercapacitor discharge only when necessary, thereby avoiding the need for continuous battery charging while maintaining rapid charging capability.
2Productivity
If multiple EVs are charged simultaneously at high power capacity, then charging productivity is improved, but peak energy charges from utility provider increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-charging supercapacitors during periods of low or no demand. When multiple EVs require simultaneous charging, the supercapacitors are already charged and ready to immediately discharge stored energy, preventing peak demand charges without requiring real-time utility power increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temporal distribution of energy consumption parameters. Instead of drawing all power simultaneously from the utility grid during peak charging periods, the system shifts a portion of the energy consumption to off-peak times when supercapacitors are charged, thereby flattening the demand curve and avoiding peak charges.
3Speed
If DC Fast Chargers increase power capacity to meet consumer demand, then charging speed is improved, but likelihood of triggering peak charges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor system creates a local energy copy that replicates the utility grid's power supply capability during peak periods. When DC fast chargers operate at high power capacity, the supercapacitors provide a copied power source from previously stored energy, allowing rapid charging to proceed without actually drawing proportional power from the utility grid during expensive peak periods.
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
The solution effectively reduces the likelihood of peak energy charges, encouraging more EV charging station installations by managing energy demand efficiently, maintaining rapid charging capabilities even during multiple vehicle connections, and providing a scalable, efficient alternative to battery storage systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more supercapacitors configured to store energy received from an energy source
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for a power-controlling device for use with EV chargers. One or more embodiments disclosed herein may include a stand-alone device which, when installed, may reduce the likelihood of the owner of the EV charger being hit with high utility demand charges. The device may include one or more supercapacitors (e.g., supercapacitor banks, which may be series/parallel combinations) which may aid in making stored energy available during periods of peak energy demand. The supercapacitors may charge during periods of normal (e.g., non-peak) energy demand, and may discharge stored energy during periods of peak energy demand, which may reduce the likelihood of peak charges being applied. This device may appeal to property owners concerned about installing EV chargers due to the possibility of being penalized by high energy costs, and may result in an increase in the number of charging stations available to the public.