Researchers develop dynamic computer to improve use of EV charging stations

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a dynamic computing tool to help improve user access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, making them more user-friendly for drivers , foreign media reported. attraction.

Image source: North Carolina State University

"We already know the market needs flexible EV charging networks to support EV adoption," said Leila Hajibabai, assistant professor in NC State's Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and corresponding author of the paper. "This is because there are huge differences in when and where people charge their vehicles, how much time they spend at charging stations, and how long it takes to charge their vehicles."

To best meet the needs of electric vehicle users, an optimal way of managing existing charging station infrastructure is required. The researchers looked at the user's perspective, that is, the issues that matter to electric car drivers: how long it takes to get to a charging station, how much it costs to use a charging station, how long you might have to wait to use a charging station, and if you are in Are there any fines for staying at a charging station for more than the time limit?

Researchers have developed new techniques that take all of the above factors into account in complex computational models that utilize a game theory framework. First, the technology can help users find the nearest charging facility that meets their needs. Second, charging station operators can use a dynamic system to determine how long a vehicle can stay at a charging station before needing to make way for the next vehicle.

"These results are inherently dynamic and will evolve with additional data on how users use charging facilities," Hajibabai said.

For example, the user's nearest available charging facility may change depending on whether there is any available space. The amount of time a user spends at a charging station may vary from day to day to reflect the reality that people use different charging facilities.

Hajibabai said: "There are currently no clear real-world benchmarks to evaluate the extent to which our technology can improve user access to charging facilities. But in simulations, the technology did improve user access. The simulation results also showed that charging station slots Flexibility in when they are available is a key predictor of which charging stations users visit .

In the future the researchers will work with an existing network of charging stations to trial the technology and evaluate its performance in real-world environments.