SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PREDICTING FUTURE DEMAND OF A CHARGING STATION

• US 20150294228A1
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: SAITO, Daisuke, MURAMATSU, Toshiro
• Granted Patent: US 9,626,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations

Abstract

A system and method of predicting future demand of a charging station include collecting probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles. The probe data includes charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles. A usage pattern of a charging station is determined based on the probe data for the charging station. A future demand for the charging station is predicted by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle. The predicted future demand for the charging station is provided to the requesting electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A method of predicting future demand of a charging station, comprising the steps of:

collecting probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles, the probe data including charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles;

determining a usage pattern of a charging station based on the probe data for the charging station;

predicting a future demand for the charging station by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle; and

providing the predicted future demand for the charging station to the requesting electric vehicle.

2. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the determining the usage pattern step includes creating patterns based on occupancy, waiting time or a volume of waiting electric vehicles at the charging station.

3. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2, wherein

the usage pattern is based on the charging station.

4. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2, wherein

the usage pattern is based on time.

5. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 4, wherein

the usage pattern is based on a specified period of time.

6. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2, wherein

the usage pattern is based on a day of the week.

7. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2, wherein

the usage pattern is based on a particular day of the year.

8. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 2, wherein

the usage pattern is based on a season of the year.

9. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the probe data includes start and end timestamps of charging activity at the charging station.

10. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the predicting future demand step includes applying a plurality of usage patterns based on at least two different types of probe data.

11. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 10, wherein

the at least two different types of probe data include a location of the charging station, a day of the week and a time period.

12. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the probe data includes locations of the plurality of electric vehicles.

13. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 12, wherein

the determining the usage pattern step includes determining relationships between the plurality of electric vehicles and the charging station based on the locations of the plurality of electric vehicles;

and

making a trend model of future usage based on a distance of the requesting electric vehicle from the charging station.

14. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 13, further comprising

determining a similar electric vehicle distribution situation from the trend model;

and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

15. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the probe data includes information regarding arrival and departure of the plurality of electric vehicles at the charging station.

16. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 15, wherein

the predicting the usage pattern step includes determining relationships between an occupancy pattern of the charging station and a distribution of the plurality of electric vehicles.

17. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

determining a similar pattern for departures of the plurality of electric vehicles;

and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

18. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 17, wherein

the probe data includes a direction of travel of the plurality of electric vehicles.

19. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 18, wherein

determining a relationship between the occupancy pattern of the charging station and the direction of travel of the plurality of electric vehicles.

20. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 19, wherein

determining a similar usage pattern based on the requesting electric vehicles direction of travel;

and

providing a corresponding occupancy trend to the requesting electric vehicle.

21. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 13, wherein

the probe data includes a state of charge of the plurality of electric vehicles;

and

the determining the usage pattern step includes predicting charging activity based on the state of charge.

22. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 21, further comprising

predicting an occupancy trend at the charging station based on the electric vehicles proximal the charging station.

23. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 1, wherein

the probe data includes destination settings for the plurality of electric vehicles;

and

determining a probability of charging activity occurring at the charging station based on the destination settings when the requesting electric vehicle sets a destination.

24. The method of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 23, further comprising

the probe data includes destination settings for a specific time period;

and

providing an occupancy trend based on the destination settings to the requesting electric vehicle.

25. A system of predicting future demand of a charging station, comprising:

a data center including

a data collector configured to collect probe data from a plurality of electric vehicles, the probe data including charging activity history of the plurality of electric vehicles;

a determination unit configured to determine a usage pattern of a charging station based on the probe data for the charging station and to predict a future demand for the charging station by applying the usage pattern to a factor associated with a requesting electric vehicle; and

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the predicted future demand; and

a requesting electric vehicle including

a communication unit configured to receive the predicted future demand for the charging station from the transmitting unit; and

a display configured to display the predicted future demand.

26. The system of predicting future demand of a charging station according to claim 25, wherein

the charging station includes at least one charger.