How does a Smart Charging Network (SCN) work exactly?
Overview
The Smart Charging Network (SCN) is a solution where multiple charging stations are connected via a LAN to manage power distribution locally. All charging stations align their charging speeds among each other.
Power Distribution
For every socket used, the SCN decides the charging speed based on total power consumption. Connected charging stations exchange data on current charging capacity for all vehicles. When a vehicle is fully charged, other connected vehicles receive more power.
Connection Loss
If a charging station loses connection with the others, if falls back to the configured safe current. The total power at the point of interconnection (POI) is divided over connected sockets based on settings.
Charging Current Management
The SCN ensures the total charging current on stations with two sockets never exceeds the maximum station current.
Configuration Parameters
Before using the SCN, the following parameters need to be configured:
- Maximum current value of the grid connection
- Maximum current value of the charging station
- Maximum current value per socket (applicable for multi-socket charging stations)
- Safe current value
- Alternating period
Here is a short explanation of the paramaters:
Maximum current value of the grid connection
The maximum current that is available from the grid connection.
Maximum current value of the charging station
The maximum current a charging station (Station Max Current) or socket (Socket Max. Current) is allowed to provide.
Maximum current value per socket (applicable for multi-socket charging stations)
The maximum current a socket (Socket Max. Current) is allowed to provide.
Safe current value
The available power reserved for a socket when the charging station loses connection.