IOT integration in EV charging stations : A deep dive into smart infrastructure

IOT stands for internet of things,network of physical objects or things that are embedded with sensors ,software or other technologies for the purpose of connecting or exchanging data with other devices or systems over the internet.Systems can be simple household devices or industrial tools.This article will focus on smart infrastructure of integrated IOT and EV charging stations.

Why we need IOT in EV industry

EV charging stations are connected devices and integrated with various third-party service providers such as energy suppliers, e-MSPs, and charge point operators.Key success of EV adoption lies in robust charging infrastructure.Some major challenges ahead of EV charging infrastructure management are

High cost associated with troubleshooting remote charge points.

Integration of various protocols & connectivity options for smooth operations.

Realtime notification and alerts for important events.

Handling huge real time data from charging sessions.

Efficient utilization of charger capacity and ensuring high availability.

IOT in EV charging enables continuous monitoring and presenting data in the form of reports and dashboards.It also notify users in case of critical failure and important updates.

Role of IOT in all stages in EV value chain

User authentication -Lets take an example of an EV owner who uses his smartphone for access. Charging station sends this information to IOT over the cloud.IOT platform checks the owner's profile and performs authentication,authorization and accounting activity. Based on this it performs billing and transactions.

Automated operations -When owner is away while his EV is charging then IOT sends information of exact time left for charging to EV owner.It also notify any errors in cable connection, automatic payments and call for emergency assistance in case of some critical events.

Charger availability -EV charging app can search for available charging stations,check availability and reserve slot based on battery capacity.It also indicates real time charging rates and off peak hours for low cost charging.

Smart charging -Energy rates vary depending on season like in summer season abundant solar energy is available to fill grids. So these smart chargers charge automatically when they find the lowest rates available from the grid

EVSE control-IoT platform collects ,analyse important data such as the grid limit, energy tariffs, EV battery capacity, and state of charge. So it becomes easier to control and manage a large fleet of charging infrastructure.

Remote management -IOT’s remote management capabilities can help to reduce field visits and improve customer satisfaction .It also helps companies to track usage of each station and help them to allocate their resources.

Predictive maintenance and battery management -Anticipate potential failures and optimize maintenance schedule so reducing downtime and cost.Battery health monitoring is done by tracking temperature ,voltage ,current and charge level for optimal performance and lifespan extension.

Future of IOT in EV industry

Technological advancements -The future of IoT in the EV industry will likely be characterised by continued technological advancements, particularly in sensors, connectivity, and data analysis.

Improvements in sensor technology will enable more accurate and detailed data collection, while advances in connectivity will facilitate faster and more reliable data transmission.

Integration of AI and ML-Integration of AI and ML with IOT holds a lot of potential for the EV industry.These technologies enable predictive capabilities such as anticipating maintenance issues before they occur or predicting battery life based on usage patterns.

New business models- Based on the data collected by IoT devices, such as usage-based insurance, or new vehicle ownership models, such as shared mobility services.These new models can help promote the adoption of EVs and provide opportunities for companies to monetize their IoT capabilities.

Summing UP

Overall IOT integration with EVs will transform industry by improving efficiency and reducing cost,enhancing user experience and safety,enabling new business models and services.Thus accelerating adoption of EVs and contributing to a sustainable transportation future.