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E-Hub, Charging Station of the Future. A Project for Dutch-Incert

Schaaf, J.M. van der (2017) E-Hub, Charging Station of the Future. A Project for Dutch-Incert.

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Abstract:In the thesis ‘E-Hub, Charging Station of the Future’ a scalable and futureproof charging system is designed that is able to charge multiple cars from a central system and can be implemented in different contexts. During the design process, the conducted analyses and tests have led to several design consequences and proposals for the E-Hub. Several concrete solutions are provided, as well as multiple advises or proposals that provide a solution direction for the E-Hub. A general analysis is provided on the most relevant topics regarding the charging infrastructure and mobility. Several stakeholders should be closely monitored and kept informed, such as distribution network operators and energy providers. Driving patterns will change due to the growing car sharing services and cost awareness of driving an electric vehicle will increase among users. Furthermore, several important standards and future technologies are analyzed that are relevant for the E-Hub. Connecting charging stations to smart grids and a future transition to inductive (wireless) charging prove to be relevant innovations in the future. Taking the changes on user-level as well as technological level into account will result in several design consequences, such as increased communication and interaction between users and charging infrastructure and the optional energy buffer that could reduce peak loads on the grid by using renewable energy. A system architecture is created that defines the main subsystems of the E-Hub, which include the central console, the connection points, the user interface and an optional energy buffer. Furthermore, the Open Smart Charging Protocol and Open Charge Point Protocol are required to enable the E-Hub to communicate between different parties and enable smart charging. Together with the literature studies, several user tests have gained insights in the solution directions for the E-Hub. Based on these analyses, a set of solutions is created that can be combined to create a viable and operable system. By presenting three different combinations of solutions, concepts are generated and visualized. The concepts are evaluated by looking at the concept decision criteria based on the key drivers of the E-Hub. Subsequently, the three concepts are combined to create a final concept that combines the most ideal solutions. Several important decisions made, include the decision to make the implementation of photo-voltaic panels as well as an energy buffer location dependent. Furthermore, an intelligent pricing system will ensure that users provide accurate data to the E-Hub on their planned return time and the required battery level. In the concept development phase, it is chosen to create a more specific solution for a smart parking system, which aims to make parking allocation of both electric and non-electric vehicles more efficient and removes the amount of connection points as a constraint for the availability of charging bays. An important design consequence is the need for a vehicle identification system, which can be accomplished by using SENSIT IR sensors. In order to make the system future-proof, a set of requirements is provided that defines the most important design choices that are necessary for a transition to inductive charging. Furthermore, based on additional research, it is chosen to use a three-phase power supply for all charging points. A proposal is presented for a user-friendly mobile application, as well as a set of instructions that can be implemented in connection points in a user-friendly way. At last, the physical design is presented that highlights the adaptability, visibility and availability of the system and gives a visual representation of all the design consequences that are necessary to create a viable and efficient charging solution.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Subject:20 art studies
Programme:Industrial Design BSc (56955)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/73155
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