Methods, devices, and system utilizing electric vehicle chargers for bidirectional charging
Bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) chargers for Combined Charging system (CCS) compatible EVs implementing alternating current (AC) charging for an EV and direct current (DC) discharging of the EV for providing backup power are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bidirectional EV charger includes a power input interface, a power output interface, and an EV charging interface configured to be electrically coupled with an EV charging port of an EV. The bidirectional EV charger further includes EV charging circuitry electrically coupled between with the power input interface and the EV charging interface; EV discharging circuitry electrically coupled between with the EV charging interface and the power output interface; and a controller electrically coupled with the EV charging circuitry and the EV discharging circuitry. The controller is configured for operating the bidirectional EV charger in a manner compliant to at least one version of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62196 standard.
1 . A bidirectional electric vehicle (EV) charger for Combined Charging system (CCS) compatible EVs implementing alternating current (AC) charging for an EV and direct current (DC) discharging of the EV for providing complete power transfer for home based loads, the bidirectional EV charger comprising:
a CCS EV charging interface having AC contacts and DC contacts, wherein the CCS EV charging interface is configured to be electrically coupled with an EV charging port of the EV;
a transfer switch configured to provide load management based on a battery charge level of the EV;
a home energy meter interface electrically coupled with the transfer switch;
a home breaker box panel interface electrically coupled with the transfer switch;
a DC-to-AC split phase inverter electrically coupled between the DC contacts of the EV charging interface and the transfer switch, wherein the DC-to-AC split phase inverter is configured to supply split-phase power comprising:
a neutral conductor;
a first live conductor configured to supply 120 volt AC (VAC) relative to the neutral conductor; and
a second live conductor configured to supply 120 VAC relative to the neutral conductor and be approximately 180 degrees out-of-phase from the first live conductor;
EV charging circuitry electrically coupled between the home breaker box panel interface and the EV charging interface, wherein the EV charging circuitry includes switch circuitry for enabling and disabling AC power to the CCS EV charging interface;
a controller electrically coupled with the EV charging circuitry and the DC-to-AC split phase inverter, wherein the controller is configured for;
receiving a grid power failure indication;
determining the battery charge level of the EV;
enabling the DC-to-AC split phase inverter to provide backup power to the transfer switch;
receiving a grid power restored indication; and
disabling the DC-to-AC split phase inverter; and
implementing Pilot Line management for a charging session and a discharging session without disconnection of the CCS EV charging interface from the EV;
and
a user interface electrically coupled with the controller, wherein:
the user interface comprises:
a display configured for indicating a current load of the home based loads and a current charge status of the EV; and
a switch configured for:
allowing a user to enable the DC-to-AC split phase inverter to provide backup power to the transfer switch based on the battery charge level of the EV; and
allowing the user to disable the DC-to-AC split phase inverter to remove the backup power to the transfer switch.
2 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 1 , wherein:
the grid power failure indication is determined from a loss of grid power at a power input interface; and
the grid power restored indication is determined from a return of the grid power at the power input interface.
3 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 2 , further comprising a communication interface coupled with the controller, wherein the communication interface is configured for providing a remaining power indication based on the battery charge level of the EV.
4 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 3 , wherein the communication interface includes an Internet Protocol (IP) network interface configured for sending status information to a remote computing device and receiving commands from the remote computing device.
5 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 4 , wherein the remote computing device comprises:
a graphical user interface (GUI); and
an application for receiving the status information and sending the commands.
6 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 5 , wherein the status information comprises load management information.
7 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 5 , wherein:
the communication interface comprises a cellular interface;
the IP network interface is provided by the cellular interface; and
the cellular interface is configured for communicating with the remote computing device when the grid power is unavailable.
8 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 3 , wherein transfer switch is configured for providing load management based on the remaining power indication.
9 . The bidirectional EV charger of claim 1 , wherein the bidirectional EV charger in compliance to at least one version of an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62196 standard.