ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

STATION

ETREL INCH

SMART CHARGING FEATURES

Document version: 1.3

Document date: 10. 1. 2022
Etrel INCH | Smart Charging Features
Technical
TABLE
| OF CONTENTS

1 SMART CHARGING SOLUTIONS ...................................................... 2

Charging station .............................................................................. 2
Additional measurements ............................................................... 3
Back Office (Software Solutions) ..................................................... 3
2 SMART CHARGING SOLUTIONS AT THE LOCATION ........................ 4
Overload Prevention ....................................................................... 4
Frequency Regulation ...................................................................... 5
Charging Process Optimization ........................................................ 6
Economic/Price Optimization of Charging ................................... 6
Operation Optimization ............................................................... 6
Power Management ........................................................................ 7
Cluster Management ................................................................... 7
3 SMART CHARGING SOLUTIONS ON LEVEL OF BACK OFFICE
(SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS) .............................................................. 10
Power Management ...................................................................... 10
Cluster Management ................................................................. 10
Demand Response Activation .................................................... 11
Load Area Power Management ................................................. 11
4 LIST OF SMART CHARGING FEATURES .......................................... 13
5 CONTACT INFORMATION.............................................................. 14

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1 SMART
| CHARGING SOLUTIONS

CHARGING STATION

Etrel INCH charging station supports many functionalities that can help
with overload prevention, frequency regulation, power management of
one charger or power management of a cluster of chargers.

Figure 1: Etrel INCH charging station

All OCPP 1.6 SOAP is fully supported and all messages and methods of
OCPP 1.6 JSON are also supported. The full support of OCPP 2.0 JSON is
upcoming.
In addition, special algorithms were developed to optimize the charging
process. Main scopes of algorithms of smart charging solutions:
• Overload prevention
• Frequency regulation
• Charging process optimization
o Economic/Price optimization of charging
o Operation optimization
• Power management
o Cluster management
Each scope consists of several smart charging features, and new ones are
being added routinely with normal charging station updates.

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ADDITIONAL
| MEASUREMEN TS

The charging station can operate on its own, however, it can be beneficial
to use additional data at the location where possible. For example, data
of household consumption and data of possible production of energy at
the location, can be measured and transmitted to the charging device
where the data is evaluated, analysed and used in algorithms. One
possibility for this is the collection of data with the use of Etrel Load
Guard. Additional measurements enable better operation of smart
charging.

Figure 2: Etrel Load Guard

BACK OFFICE (SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS)

Additional option is the use of charging monitoring system, for example

Etrel Ocean, which enables additional smart charging features and better
operation of existent. With monitoring system, the overview and control
of larger number of charging stations becomes simple. The major
benefits, that are supported with the use of Etrel Ocean are:
• Power management
o Cluster management
o Demand response activation
o Load area power management

Figure 3: Etrel Ocean

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2 SMART
| CHARGING SOLUTIONS AT THE
LOCATION

OVERLOAD PREVENTION

Main functionality of the overload prevention algorithm is to decrease the

EV charging load to prevent the overload of grid connection point. This
function has the highest priority among all the power management
algorithms. The EV charging load shall be controlled so that the total load
(household load + charging load) of grid connection point is below the
rated current of the main fuse.
When the user connects EV to charger, and prior to beginning of charging,
the charger determines the current available for charging as the
difference between the rated current of main fuse (reduced by a safety
margin that can be pre-set by the user via charger’s web interface) and
the last measurement received from Load guard.

Figure 4: Use of household consumption data to prevent overload

By using Load Guard device, the household load can be measured and
used in overload prevention algorithms:

• Static limit of maximum allowed charging current per phase.

• Static limit of maximum allowed charging current per phase in
case connection with Load Guard sensor / back-end is lost.
• Detection and visualisation of available supply and automatic
adjustment of charging power.
• Detection and visualisation of surplus energy returned to the grid
(Production from renewable energy sources).

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FREQUENCY
| REGULATION

Frequency regulation can prevent grid breakdowns. Frequency depends

on the balance of production and consumption in the electricity grid.
When the consumption is bigger than production the frequency falls
below nominal value. In the event when the production is bigger than the
consumption frequency can raise above the nominal value of frequency.
To bring the frequency back to the optimal, either the consumption or
production needs to be changed. With charging stations, it is very easy to
manage the load and with this, influence the frequency of the grid.
Frequency regulation works on a charging station level. Each charging
station measures the frequency value 3 times per seconds and based on
the measured frequency automatically reacts by lowering the current.
In the case when the frequency is lowered because the consumption is
too high, the charging station can simply decrease the charging power
(currents). Regulation of the charging current is made on basis of the
frequency limit settings. If the system frequency is lower than nominal
value, the charging current will also be lowered. Nominal value of
frequency in the power system can be different, usually defined as 50 Hz
or 60 Hz.
Delay start Delay end
Start when Decrease
(when (when
frequency output current
persistently persistently
under [Hz] to [A]
under) [s] above) [s]
50.0 10 32 4
49.0 8 25 8
48.0 6 15 10
47.0 4 6 20
46.0 2 0 40

Table is showing an example of defined stages of frequency regulation

and setting of one stage in charging station’s web interface is shown at
the figure below.

Figure 5: Setting of one stage of frequency regulation

The settings of under-frequency regulation are usually defined by local

distribution system operator and can be a requirement or only a
recommendation. All the frequency regulation settings are defined by the
circumstances at the actual location, local legislation, and requirements.
It is possible that the under-frequency regulation can be subsidised and
represents an income to the charging station’s owner.

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CHARGING
| PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

ECONOMIC/ PRICE OPTIMIZATION OF CHARGING

When different energy tariffs are set, the charging station can optimize
the charging process to ensure that the price of charging will be the lowest
possible. Based on the set parameters, the charging algorithm calculates
the optimal charging schedule plan.
For example, normally, the charging during the night would have the
lowest price, however the exact time interval of low tariffs could influence
the calculation.
The possible production of energy at the location could be treated as
being of high tariff, or the use of this energy for charging would be
preferred and designated with low tariff. In most cases of public charging
stations, the user wants the electric vehicle to be charged as soon as
possible and the price optimization of charging is not desired.
The calculation of optimal charging plan:
• Based on energy tariffs.
• Time scheduling of charging towards lower tariffs or self-
consumption when user preferences and pricing allows it.
• Evaluation of on-site production (e.g., photovoltaics).

OPERATION OPTIMIZATION

In some cases, the easiness of the charging process can be supported with
the use of machine learning and pattern recognition to evaluate the user
habits and offer the charging schedule plan, optimized to specific user (by
evaluation of the historic data of charging).
With the setting of user’s departure time, the charging process could
optimize the charging of a whole cluster. The electricity price can be a part
of optimization algorithms, or not. In case of public charging stations, the
operation optimization is usually not wanted, however its main use are
semi-public charging stations (charging at workplace) and individual
users.
To achieve better operation with existent devices, to connect to other
systems, or to configure additional functionalities, the digital inputs and
outputs can be used.
The communication protocol is Modbus. The support for Modbus
protocol further extends the options for integration with external systems
and means of monitoring and control of operation of individual charging
station or a cluster. It can be implemented for control of operation on
local level, or for the remote control from the back-end office.

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Operation
| optimization is linked to other functionalities, e.g. price
optimization and power management possibilities and is dependent on
the exact use case scenario.
Different configurations are possible, using only charging stations to
manage the whole cluster, using the Etrel Ocean monitoring system, or
external monitoring system.
Because of it, the optimization of the complete system is subjected to the
use case of individual customer and is not limited only to:
• Machine learning and pattern recognition using built-in AI to
predict and optimise each charging session.
• Collection of user's departure time to refine automatically
suggested charging profile.
• Support for Modbus protocol for integration with external smart
building systems.

POWER MANAGEMENT
Basic power management is performed on individual charging station and
consist of several settings and is supported by other functionalities. It can
also be performed on the level of back end for load areas, sub load areas,
or individual charging stations.

CLUSTER MANAGEMENT

The goal of this functionality is to distribute the power available for

charging among several chargers in the cluster when multiple EVs are
charging. Cluster management on level of charging station is using one
charging station designated as master of the cluster.
• Based on user preferences and current installation's load
conditions.
• Master-slave relationship with floating master.
• INCH Home charging station can be a part of a cluster of two
charging stations.
• INCH Pro charging station: Connection of up to 36 charging
stations possible.
INCH Pro can provide power management of up to 36 electric vehicles,
meaning cluster of 36 charging stations INCH Pro. This is valid for the most
unfavourable scenario with low power capacity available, meaning
constant need for power management recalculations with inclusion of
data obtained from Load Guard. INCH Pro could also control larger
clusters, depending on the individual case.

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Larger
| cluster (supply of up to 300 electric vehicles in most unfavourable
scenario) is possible with use of industrial computer and connection to
Etrel Ocean management software.
The total consumption of the cluster can be limited with the maximal
capacity of the grid connection point. To optimize this functionality, user
charging preferences and EV onboard charger’s characteristics must be
known or estimated. User charging preferences can be obtained by the
charger when user enters his preferences into the charging station’s
settings. Charging station calculates them using the preferences
prediction algorithm with the historic charging data.
When several chargers are installed behind the grid connection point the
control algorithm must decide how to distribute the current available for
charging to individual charging sessions (EVs) where all users’ charging
preferences must be satisfied all the time.
Algorithm must also prevent grid connection point overload if the full
charging power of all charging station in cluster would cause overload.

O P E R A TI O N

One of the charging stations is assigned role of a cluster master. Cluster

master serves as a main communication channel between all the charge
points in the cluster and is responsible for power management
algorithms. This allows cluster to do the power management even if the
communication with the back office is lost as all the calculations are done
within the cluster.
Algorithm determines the current available for charging as a difference
between the actual EV charging currents and the required reduction of
grid connection point load.
Cluster management algorithm then distributes the current available to
individual EVs with consideration of user's charging preferences and EV
on board chargers' characteristics:
• Calculation of required current: Charging current needed (per
phase) to deliver the required energy till the end of time period
available for charging is calculated for each charging session.
• Required currents of all charging sessions are summed (per
phase).
• Calculation of current set points for individual EVs: Current
available for charging (per phase) is distributed to individual
sessions according to the share of their required current in the
total of all required currents in the cluster.

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A| problem arises when EVs with 1- and 3-phase chargers are currently
connected to chargers. Calculation of current set points for individual EVs
may result in different phase currents for the same EV with a 3-phase
charger; Consequently, the currents assigned to individual EVs must be
recalculated to reach a symmetrical load of EVs with 3-phase chargers.
For this recalculation the algorithm considers a “fairness factor”. A high
factor means, that all EVs are considered on an equal basis: the share of
EV’s set point current in the sum of set point currents of all EVs in the
cluster corresponds to the share of EV’s required current in the sum of
required currents of all EVs in the cluster.

A D DI T IO NA L O P T IO NS

If the cluster is part of a household, multi-dwelling house or if additional

loads are connected to the same connection point Load guard unit should
be added to the installation. Load guard can measure values of all the
loads in the installation and with this data charging station can manage
the charging power.
Additional options for cluster management are supported on the level of
back-office, with the use of Etrel Ocean monitoring system.

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3 SMART
| CHARGING SOLUTIONS ON LEVEL
OF BACK OFFICE (SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS)

Software solutions represents power management solutions that are

done by the back-office software. Etrel Ocean monitoring system can be
used. All charging stations that use OCPP 1.6 protocol can be managed by
the software.
All the software solutions on level of back office can be used together with
the power management functions on the level of charging stations.
Main software power management solutions:
• Cluster management
• Demand response activation
• Load area power management

POWER MANAGEMENT

Basic power management is performed on individual charging station and

consist of several settings and is supported by other functionalities. It can
also be performed on the level of back end for load areas, sub load areas,
or individual charging stations. Limitation in using only software solution
is the communication. If the communication between the charger, other
charging stations of the cluster and back office fails, new schedules and
power management can't be communicated to the charging stations.
Best case scenario is using combination of both options which represents
a safe failback to the cluster management on level of charging stations in
case of communication loss.

CLUSTER MANAGEMENT

Solution for power management of clusters using software (monitoring

system) is very similar to the solution of cluster management enabled on
the level of the charger. The main difference is that cluster master is not
used, as back office software works as a cluster master and delegates the
schedules and charging power values to each charging station that is part
of the cluster.
Charging station sends heartbeat signal to the back office every X minutes
(heartbeat frequency can be set in the back office settings module), if
there is no response message received from the back office charging
station immediately goes to the power fallback mode where output
current of the charging station is reduced to the minimum value (usually
6 A per phase).

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This
| is done to minimize the possibility of overloading the grid or
connection point during the communication failure. If this is not done
problems can especially occur when new EVs arrive to charging station
during the time with no communication with software back office. If there
are other (unmanageable) loads in your cluster, then software solution
cannot perform cluster power management.

Figure 6: Managing of cluster from back office

Larger cluster (up to 300 electric vehicles) is possible with use of industrial
computer and connection to Etrel Ocean management software.

DEMAND RESPONSE ACTIVATION

In some cases, the demand response functionality is needed. Distribution

system operator can set the rules, that can be implemented in Etrel Ocean
to enable the control of charging stations operation:
• Remote power manipulation by DSO.
• Remote power manipulation by energy supplier.

LOAD AREA POWER MANAGEMENT

Load area power management allows operator to group charging station

and clusters into load areas. Software allows operator to manage the
power of each load area separately. This gives operator ability to manage
power only in the area where problems occur.

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When
| charging station are grouped into one load area, the whole load
area then acts as one charging station. For example, if the operator
decreases the charging power of the load area for 50 kW, charging power
of all the chargers in the area will reduce for 50 kW, some will reduce
more and some less depending on the charging preferences on each
individual charging station.
Charging station can be part of multiple load areas. One load area that
represents a big part of the electrical grid, can have multiple small sub
load areas, where only one or few charging stations can be in one of them.
The limitation of currents can be set on the level of load area and level of
sub-load areas independently. Example of load areas can be seen on the
following figure.

LA 2

400V/20kV

20kV/60kV

LA 3

400V/20kV

LA 4

LA 1

Figure 7: Load area and sub load areas

How load areas and sub load areas are arranged and how the operator
then manages power can be set completely arbitrarily. Power can be
managed for the whole load area LA1 or only for each sub area (LA 2, LA
3 and LA 4) separately.
Two integration options of such system exist.
• In the first option Etrel Ocean gathers all the data from each
charging stations separately and aggregates them with the data
from charging station from the same load area. This data is then
exchanged with the smart grid system which controls the grid
(other power plants and consumers).
• In the second option, the data from each charging station (grid
connection point) is sent to the smart grid system and it is that
system responsibility to aggregate data to load areas and sub load
areas and to manage power consumption of all load areas.

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4 LIST
| OF SMART CHARGING FEATURES

Economic/Price Optimization of Charging

On local level or remotely
• Based on energy tariffs.
• Time scheduling of charging towards lower tariffs or self-
consumption when user preferences and pricing allows it.
• Evaluation of on-site production (e.g., photovoltaics).

Operation Optimization
On local level or remotely
• Frequency regulation.
• Machine learning and pattern recognition using built-in AI to
predict and optimise each charging session.
• Collection of user's departure time over web interface or touch
screen to refine automatically suggested charging profile.
• Support for Modbus protocol for integration with external smart
building systems.

Overload Prevention (of Fuse and/or Grid Connection Point)

On local level, with or without using Etrel Load Guard, or with
management system, e.g. by using Etrel Ocean:
• Static limit of maximum allowed charging current per phase.
• Static limit of maximum allowed charging current per phase in
case connection with Load Guard sensor / back-end is lost.
• Detection and visualisation of available supply and automatic
adjustment of charging power.
• Detection and visualisation of surplus energy returned to the grid
(Production from renewable energy sources).

Demand Response Activation

With management system, e.g. by using Etrel Ocean
• Remote power manipulation by DSO.
• Remote power manipulation by energy supplier.

Cluster management
On local level or with management system, e.g. by using Etrel Ocean
• Based on user preferences and current installation's load
conditions.
• Master-slave relationship with floating master. Connection of up
to 36 charging stations INCH Pro possible (two with INCH Home).
• Load area power management.
• OCPP 1.6 fully supported, OCPP 2.0 in the road map, will be fully
supported soon. Other OCPP nonstandard messages are also
supported (related with building consumption or cluster
consumption).

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5 CONTACT
| INFORMATION

TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

e-mail: [email protected]
phone: +386 1 601 0127

CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

e-mail: [email protected]
phone: +386 1 601 0175

AUTHORISED SERVICE CENTRES

e-mail: [email protected]
phone: +386 1 601 0075

Etrel d.o.o.
Pod jelšami 6
1290 Grosuplje
Slovenia
EU

www.etrel.si

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