Intelligent load distribution systems are the future of e-mobility. In the near future, electric vehicles will be charged decentrally while working, shopping and, last but not least, at residential buildings. Decentralized and easily accessible charging points will then be permanently available for "short-term refuelling".
To make this possible, we already need automatic and intelligent communication between vehicles, charging stations and the power supply. After all, anyone who uses an electric vehicle quickly learns that it is no longer the journey to the charging station alone that determines the vehicle's range, but rather that every standstill offers the potential for recharging!
The biggest challenge
Efficient load management
It is often argued that normal overnight charging does not require load management. However, it is often forgotten that all e-mobility solutions today are not just about "the electricity", but also about communication and coordination between the devices. Every vehicle exchanges data with the charging device. This data can be used to manage prioritization, for example - further information is also exchanged on the basis of power consumption, charging voltage and capacity data:
In addition to the short intervals of standstill charging during the course of the day, the main load is due to the charging behavior of consumers after work, usually between 5 and 8 p.m. on weekdays. Load peaks occur more frequently during this period. This inevitably leads to significant fluctuations in grid utilization.
To avoid load peaks here, load management is needed in the residential complex: the EAutoLader.
The solution
Simple load management with EAutoLader
The EAutoLader concept is based on a simple control unit that can be connected to various charging station systems regardless of the manufacturer. To prevent the home connection from being overloaded, the EAutoLader monitors and manages charging connections and home power.
Technical details
The administration center is just 16x9x3 cm (WxHxD) in size and is installed in the electrical distribution with connections for the energy supply and control boxes in the buildings. Up to ten charging points can be addressed per basic device.
Expansion modules (slaves) allow the system to be scaled up to 120 charging points per feed.
Any electrician can carry out the installation simply, easily and quickly and does not have to have complicated proprietary charging systems configured by specialists.
Whoever comes first, charges first up to a capacity of approx. 80%. Then everyone else follows. This is not about splitting the charging current, but about the simplest and quickest distribution of energy to a consumer by switching it on or off. The remaining 20% is distributed in the same order after this first main charging process. However, if you always want to be the first and don't want to queue, you can buy priority treatment as a VIP.
„Wir setzen uns bewusst von Anbietern ab, die ihre Kunden mit anspruchsvollen Komplettgeräten überfordern und für teure Lizenzmodelle viel Geld verlangen. Unser EAutoLader ist wartungsfrei, braucht kein Internet und keine Updates. Er verwaltet das Laden von Fahrzeugen absolut sicher und einfach für wenig Geld. Fertig.“
Thomas Klug
EAutoLader GmbH
The focus of the application is therefore on multi-party residential buildings and all facilities that want to offer simple load management and prefer a manufacturer-independent, maintenance-free solution with minimal investment. From the retailer around the corner to doctors' surgeries and employers who want to offer e-mobility charging options for their employees.
Lacon Embedded, the development company of the Lacon Group from Karlsfeld near Munich, is responsible for the entire project.
- Component selection, software programming, quality assurance and device construction are carried out on site.
- The design and construction of the PCB are geared towards robustness and the simplest possible implementation.
- The distances are short, as all PCBs are assembled, tested and processed into the final product right next door in the Lacon main factory.
- The product has been tested and certified for electromagnetic compatibility in an accredited laboratory.
"With the DHCP-capable Ethernet interface, M-Bus and Modbus, we cover all the connection options that the market demands. In addition, the power supply unit is outsourced, so there is no load on the circuit board and no heat build-up in the device," says Martin Räuschl, project developer at Lacon Embedded.
The device closes the gap between cost-intensive proprietary models, which often start at fixed costs of EUR 1,200 for the basic unit and sometimes demand monthly license fees, and private individual solutions that are detached from safety and quality aspects. The EAutoLader stands for top quality with maintenance-free operation.
The test environment presented simulates the simultaneous operation of 10 charging points. The EAutoLader control unit is only used in the field once it has successfully completed and passed all load tests.
Parameterization via the HTML interface is very simple. For example, the basic information on bus and meter types, addressing and maximum charging power is entered here.
Conclusion
Simple, secure and manufacturer-independent
The EAutoLader is easy to install and configure by anyone, scalable and affordable. There are no hidden costs or license models.
The target groups are multi-party apartment buildings, property management companies and providers of charging points that can be used by customers while they shop or engage in sports and leisure activities.
The EAutoLader is also ideal for companies that want to offer their employees the opportunity to charge their vehicles during working hours thanks to its cross-manufacturer compatibility.
The EAutoLader is easy to install and configure by anyone, scalable and affordable. There are no hidden costs or license models.
Intelligent load distribution systems are the future of e-mobility. In the near future, electric vehicles will be charged decentrally while working, shopping and, last but not least, at residential buildings. Decentralized and easily accessible charging points will then be permanently available for "short-term refueling".
To make this possible, we already need automatic and intelligent communication between vehicles, charging points and the power supply. After all, anyone who uses an electric vehicle quickly learns that the journey to the filling station alone no longer determines the vehicle's range. Instead, every stop offers the potential for recharging!
