Improving Access to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Unusual approach using game theory

 Improving Access to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

NC State University News

Matt Shipman, October 17, 2022

North Carolina State University (NC State) researchers aim to make electric vehicles more appealing to drivers by improving access to charging stations via a game theory-based computational tool. The tool uses a game theory framework to balance factors such as the length of time required to reach a charging station, the cost of using it, wait times for access, and the potential for fines for exceeding charging time limits. The method helps users find the nearest charging station, and incorporates a dynamic system that charging station operators can use to ascertain how long vehicles can spend charging before they must make way for the next vehicle. ... ' 

Overloading the Grid with Car Charging

 Sufficient infrastructure ready?

Too Many Electric Cars Charging at Night May Overload Electrical Grid

By New Scientist, September 29, 2022

The computer models showed that having more drivers charging during the day could reduce the grid’s energy storage requirements by between $700 million and $1.5 billion.

Computer modeling by researchers at Stanford University determined that the western U.S. power grid should invest in daytime charging options for electric vehicles (EVs) because primarily charging EVs at home overnight could put a strain on the power grid.

The researchers developed computer models that calculate the impact of driver charging behaviors and available charging station infrastructure at home and in public places on peak net electricity.

The models showed a 25% increase in peak net electricity demand when states hit 50% EV ownership and drivers mainly charge their vehicles at home overnight.

However, the increase in peak net electricity demand dropped to 7.5% by increasing daytime charging options.

The researchers also found that an increase in daytime charging could result in a $700-million to $1.5-billion reduction in the grid's energy storage requirements.

From New Scientist

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In-Air Drone Charging

Involved in Drone tech examination and application.  Battery charging is a big issue.  Below article with video.   From IdeaConnection

GET In-Air Drone Charging Station  
The GET charging station for drones could offer unlimited flight time by letting the drones charge in mid-air.

The GET (Global Energy Transmission) company has developed an outdoor induction loop that can recharge several drones at one time without the need to land. The system, which resembles a wire frame, can transmit up to 12 kilowatts of power at an 80 percent efficiency to several drones simultaneously. A six-minute visit to the loop will provide 25 additional minutes of flight time, and the system is portable enough to be set up where needed—eliminating the need for human battery changers.   ... " 

Charging Moving Vehicles

In Spectrum IEEE

Wireless Power for Moving Electric Vehicles Closer to Reality     By Charles Q. Choi

 Two men stand in front of and beneath a pair of large white wheels trimmed with copper foil. Electronic equipment hangs from the bottom of the wheels and more equipment is on a table behind one wheel.

Wireless charging of moving electric vehicles is one step closer to hitting the road, Stanford University researchers say. Such technology could also help charge mobile devices, medical implants, and factory robots, the scientists add.

Wireless charging via a technique known as magnetic induction is currently used to power electric toothbrushes, power tools, robotic vacuum cleaners, medical implants, and other devices. Inductive charging depends on at least two coils—one in the power transmitter, and one in the power receiver. When the transmitter coil is energized, it generates an electromagnetic field that can transfer energy to the receiver coil. ... "