Dynamic Load Management Optimizes EV Charging for V2X
Image Source: VisualMarketplace/Stock.adobe.com; generated with AI
By Adam Kimmel for Mouser Electronics
Published July 9, 2024
Can the transition to battery-electric vehicles transform the distributed power ecosystem?
The movement to electrify vehicles' systems will change the vehicles' "refueling" process while stabilizing the energy supply and boosting efficiency. The technology connecting this dream to reality is dynamic load management (DLM) for electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Dynamic load management is changing how the world thinks about energy usage by deciding which application needs power the most. By intelligently balancing the power load across multiple chargers, DLM can accelerate EV charging through more efficient power utilization. This combination reduces energy costs and consumption. As a result, DLM can also reduce the strain on electrical grids and add resiliency to the energy grid infrastructure.
As the share of global EVs continues to increase, charging technology becomes the next critical limitation. This article will explore the charging strategies, mechanics, challenges, and future of dynamic load management for EV charging.
Basics of EV Charging and V2G Technology
To fully understand DLM's impact on the grid and EV charging, we will review some EV charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) basics.
Elements of an EV Charger
EV charging systems are comprised of hardware and software elements such as the following:
- Charging ports for both the source power and the EV
- Connectors
- Inverters
- Control board
- User interface
In addition, software and the charge management system connect the charger to the grid and vehicle to balance the power. Linking real-time grid performance to direct the charging process is the advantage DLM provides.
Charging Strategies
The industry has defined three charging levels, with Level 3 being the fastest. Charging speed correlates with the volume of electricity entering the battery, resulting in higher power transfer (measured in kilowatts).
Fast and Slow Charging
Level 3 offers fast charging, which uses increased power and voltage to reduce charge time. While it is more convenient for the consumer, there is an increased risk of damaging the battery through excess heating (optimal temperature is between 25°C and 35°C). However, this risk is lower for most modern EVs. While fast charging takes about 30 minutes, Level 1 and 2 slow charging can take at least 10 hours, substantially altering the user experience but better protecting the battery.
Smart Charging
Smart charging is a crucial component of the smart grid, facilitating efficient energy management and integration of EVs. It dynamically adjusts charging rates based on grid conditions, energy prices, and user preferences, optimizing energy utilization and grid stability. Furthermore, smart charging supports bidirectional EV charging, allowing vehicles to draw power from the grid and feed power back into it. This capability enhances grid resilience, lowers the distributed power capital cost, and reduces carbon emissions through overall lower power demand.
Understanding Dynamic Load Management
One application of load management is to supplement EV charger grid power draw. DLM distributes available or excess power between EV chargers, "recycling" the charge of already produced electricity to offload the grid.
How V2G Supports Load Management
V2G technology enhances load management by allowing EVs to draw power from and supply power to the grid. The system monitors real-time grid conditions and communicates with the central charging point when it has or needs to be charged.
The dynamic approach is insensitive to the number of chargers, as the system constantly optimizes applications for charge management, reducing usage peaks and valleys, thereby improving overall grid stability.
Mechanics of Dynamic Load Management
A DLM system operates on a continuous optimization loop. It collects real-time energy demand from the entire power ecosystem and adjusts how and where energy should move to create the highest-efficiency condition following power transfer. It measures the total grid and device energy consumption, manages AC and DC chargers, and incorporates renewable energy into the ecosystem.
Quantifiable Benefits of DLM
According to a 2018 Department of Energy study, the electrification of three-quarters of energy end uses (such as vehicles) can reduce the grid load by up to 38 percent by 2050.[1] As peak demand spikes twice daily, electrical systems are rated based on that highest energy threshold. In addition, using DLM to "trim the peaks" delivers compound sustainability impacts, reducing the needed rated grid infrastructure capacity and optimizing overall electrical transmission efficiency.
Implementing smart technology solutions can lead to significant cost savings. DLM is an excellent example, as it uses less energy but increases efficiency. These benefits translate to lower costs for consumers and producers through the following:
- Reduced capital expenditure: Operators can avoid the need to install an upgraded power supply to handle the added demand.
- Lower monthly energy expenses: DLM reduces the overall energy demand, lowering recurring monthly energy costs (the added EV demand cost is currently around €18 per month).[2]
EV Charging Load Management Market Leaders
The growing importance of load management has intensified competition within the EV charging market. Leaders like Ampeco, Etrel, Driivz, and EVBox are accelerating the technology, enabling vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Meanwhile, DLM is dominated by residential and commercial charging, with the EV charging software market size near US$1.2 billion in 2023 and projected to grow to US$7.5 billion by 2030.[3]
Future Innovations in Dynamic Load Management
As in many applications for the IoT, AI could further enable smart charging and DLM systems. Learning and predicting usage patterns will allow the software to reach optimal efficiency faster, and increased renewable energy collection and delivery will increase the efficiency of those "free" energy sources. Shifting some of the energy toward renewables will increase efficiency, lower costs, and improve sustainability even further.
However, several barriers to the widescale adoption of DLM exist. The first is that, like many new technologies, field technician expertise and regulatory oversight have not caught up to product development. In addition, the lack of standardized protocols to connect charging equipment with infrastructure will limit integration options and could cap a system's capacity to absorb and redistribute charge. To overcome these barriers, government agencies must actively support and invest in the development and implementation of smart grid technology and define how DLM can safely integrate with the smart grid.
Conclusion
DLM optimizes EV charging in the distributed power ecosystem. As vehicles become mobile power stations for V2X, DLM can add critical benefits:
- Optimized energy production and distribution
- Capital and recurring cost reductions for producers and consumers
- Enhanced grid stability
- Power resiliency
- Sustainability gains
EV technology is evolving rapidly, and renewable energy is nearing cost parity with fossil fuels.[4] Understanding the approach, technology, current state, and future of DLM is critical to managing all power sources and directing them where they are most needed. Done effectively, market leaders can grow and expand this essential market for a more sustainable world.
FAQ
What is dynamic load management in EV charging?
Dynamic load management is a system that adjusts the power distribution to multiple EV chargers in real time, optimizing the available electrical capacity and preventing grid overload. It measures sources of high and low charge and balances them where needed between the EV, the charging station, and other devices.
How does dynamic load management benefit EV charging?
Several benefits exist, including recurring and capital cost savings, sustainability improvements, and power resiliency. DLM can help operators avoid the need for an upgraded meter, lower the energy cost by "recycling" charge, and draw less power from the grid. It improves resiliency by balancing load during peak and off-peak hours and leveraging vehicles as mobile power stations.
Can dynamic load management work with existing EV charging infrastructure?
Yes, DLM solutions are designed to integrate with existing EV charging stations operating simultaneously. It can also manage three power forms: DC, AC, and solar DC power (from photovoltaic sources), all without significant hardware changes.
What are the prospects of dynamic load management in EV charging?
DLM is well suited to incorporate several technology advancements and macrotrends. One is to leverage AI for increased capability due to its "smart" nature. Another, given climate change's global effects, is to add resilient backup power in increasingly remote areas. Third, DLM enables renewable energy, as sources like wind and solar are by nature intermittent. Peak shaving to reduce this intermittency is a crucial benefit DLM provides for increased renewable energy use.
Sources
[1]https://waterfrontalliance.org/2024/02/22/the-critical-need-for-a-climate-ready-electrical-grid/
[2]https://blog.evbox.com/dynamic-load-balancing
[3]https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ev-charging-management-software-platform-market-report
[4]https://www.irena.org/News/pressreleases/2023/Aug/Renewables-Competitiveness-Accelerates-Despite-Cost-Inflation