Summary:
UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a networked infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Background:
As demand for electrical vehicles increases, there is a pressing need for advanced charging solutions that can cater to the growing number of vehicles. Modern charging infrastructures often face efficiency challenges when simultaneously charging multiple EVs. This has led to longer wait times, grid overloads and inconsistent power distribution concerns, adversely affecting user experience and grid stability. Variable short-term energy pricing, different vehicle charging needs, and a varied userbase further complicate EV charging schedules. There exists a clear demand for a technology that can intelligently manage the distribution of power to multiple EVs simultaneously. Such an advancement would streamline the charging process and optimize energy consumption, increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness for users from individuals to municipal fleets while also reducing strain on the power grid.
Innovation:
UCLA researchers have developed a network-based tool for the multiplexed charging of multiple EVs, which allows multiple vehicles to be charged from a single outlet. While traditional electrical charging systems struggle with inefficient power allocation and strain on energy grids, this approach introduces a more intelligent power management infrastructure. Through adaptive charging techniques, it harmonizes the charging of the connected EVs with grid availability while extending the overall life of the battery. User schedules and vehicle priorities are integrated with energy pricing data, and machine learning-driven predictive models ensure cost saving both in the home and at the municipal fleet level. In an area where traditional systems falter under increased demand and rising energy costs, this tool addresses the inherent challenges of large-scale EV charging while paving the way for a sustainable and efficient EV future.
Patent: US 9,290,104
Potential Applications:
• Public EV charging stations
• Fleet management
• Residential complexes & workplace charging
• Grid load management
• Renewable energy integration
• Smart cities
• Vehicle-to-Grid systems
Advantages:
• Smart distribution
• Grid stability
• Multiplexing capabilities
• Real-time monitoring
• Environmentally friendly
• Scalable
State of Development:
The inventors have developed a working model of the technology which has been rolled out to and is in use by multiple transit fleets in North America.
Related Papers:
• Mal, S., Chattopadhyay, A., Yang, A., & Gadh, R. (2013). Electric vehicle smart charging and vehicle-to-grid operation. International Journal of Parallel, Emergent and Distributed Systems, 28(3), 249-265.
• Gadh, R., Chung, C. Y., Qui, L., & Chu, C. C. (2017). U.S. Patent No. 9,620,970. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Reference:
UCLA Case No. 2012-224
Lead Inventor:
Rajit Gadh, UCLA Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering