Innovative energy management for electric vehicle charging and storage at Conestoga's SMART Centre

Dushyant Puri, PMP, SMART Centre

At Conestoga SMART Centre, a cutting-edge system has been installed to provide an EV charging point and a supercapacitor battery energy storage solution, advancing the college's commitment to sustainable energy practices. The battery energy storage system (BESS) incorporates a high-capacity supercapacitor battery. Managed by a battery management system, the BESS continuously monitors essential metrics such as voltage, state of health, and temperature, for safety and performance optimization, while integrating with a power control system to regulate charging and discharging cycles. 

The project was developed in two phases to enhance system intelligence and usability. In the first phase, communication data is integrated into a centralized database, while an interface is established to connect the system with IT management tools, enabling real-time monitoring and greater visibility.  

The second phase focused on creating a browser-based interface for easy access to system data, allowing maintenance staff to analyze performance trends and optimize energy use. Additionally, a learning algorithm will monitor charge-discharge cycles, identifying optimal times to maximize efficiency, reduce energy costs, and extend battery life. By combining seamless data integration, enhanced connectivity, and intelligent analytics, this project supports the goal for a robust, adaptable energy management system that can lead the way in EV charging infrastructure. 

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).