Electric Vehicles Are the Future, But Is the Grid Ready? How Smart EV Charging Can Help
Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly gaining popularity as more affordable and capable models hit the market. Major automakers like GM, Ford, and Volkswagen are investing billions into new EV models and President Biden has set a goal for 50% of new vehicles sold to be electric by 2030.
This surge in EVs brings both exciting possibilities and potential challenges. Without proper management, large numbers of EVs charging could strain electricity grids. This is where smart charging comes in: using technology and incentives to optimize EV charging and smooth out demands on the grid.
What is Smart Charging and How Does it Work?
Smart charging uses communication technology to coordinate EV charging with grid conditions. The key is a smart charger that can exchange data and either modulate charging levels or respond to external signals. This allows integration with utilities to avoid overwhelming the grid during times of high electricity demand.
There are two main types of smart charging:
Unidirectional or driver-driven smart charging - The driver can schedule charging times or levels through an app that communicates with the charger. This allows them to charge when electricity rates are low.
Bidirectional or utility-driven smart charging - The utility can modulate charging rates and times across chargers to flatten demand spikes. Chargers can even return power to the grid during peak times as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
In both cases, smart chargers need to be linked to networks and leverage protocols like OpenADR that standardize communications between utilities, service providers, and chargers. This allows monitoring of electricity supply and prices in real time.
5 Key Benefits of Smart Charging
Smart charging delivers multiple benefits:
Cost Savings
By charging during off-peak hours, drivers can take advantage of lower electricity rates. Utilities may also provide rebates or lower EV charging rates to incentivize off-peak usage.
Grid Stability
Utilities can reduce strain on the grid by modulating charging rates across thousands of chargers to flatten peaks. V2G can even dispatch power back to the grid from EV batteries.
Increased Grid Resiliency
Smart charging allows grids to leverage EVs as mobile storage and generation, making the grid more resilient when facing power outages or shortages.
Renewable Energy Growth
Smart charging can incentivize EV charging when renewable sources like solar or wind are generating high levels of electricity. This helps grids incorporate more renewables.
Reduced Range Anxiety
One major factor limiting EV adoption for many drivers is range anxiety, or the fear of running out of charge at an inopportune time. Surveys show prospective EV buyers are worried about having inadequate range to complete trips and being stranded without access to charging.
Smart charging can help alleviate these concerns. With the ability to monitor battery charge levels and control charging remotely, range anxiety can be reduced, as drivers will have confidence that charging occurs when needed to provide adequate range.
Studies by researchers at the Idaho National Lab simulated driving with and without smart charging. They found smart charging can extend the range by 25%, largely by preheating vehicle batteries when plugged in to maximize capacity. The ability to precondition batteries while still plugged in also helps increase range.
As smart charging platforms evolve, drivers may even get notifications when the range is too low to complete a planned trip. The system could then prompt the driver to schedule charging in advance to ensure adequate range when needed. Built-in navigation systems may even route drivers to charging stations within range when batteries are depleted.
The connectivity and intelligence of smart charging systems will play a key role in giving drivers confidence in the EV range. Just as smartphones empower us with information at our fingertips, smart charging provides data and control over charging to eliminate range anxiety. When drivers have assurance their EVs can get them where they need to go, another barrier to adoption is removed.
Critical Role of Software Platforms
Realizing that many benefits requires software platforms capable of coordinating utilities, chargers, and drivers. These platforms ingest data from utilities on generation capacity and electricity prices. They can modulate charging levels across networked chargers or motivate drivers to charge at certain times.
EV Connect is the leading EV charging management solution software provider. With 14 years of experience managing multisite turnkey EV charging projects for large utilities, our platform can:
Easily Set Access and Plans
Manage energy costs, power usage, and keep track of station utilization under one dashboard
Ensure optimum station health and uptime, while supporting EV drivers with 24/7 customer support.
EV Connect is a powerful ally for any organization looking to scale EV charging.
Smart Charging Use Cases
Smart charging is already being used across applications:
Workplace Charging - Companies want to provide EV charging for employees but limit electrical upgrades. Using smart charging, they can manage charging rates and timing to reduce peak demand charges. Employees enjoy charging incentives through participating.
Fleet Charging - Fleet managers need to keep electric vehicles charged for use but want to minimize electricity costs. Smart charging allows centralized control over charging times and levels across distributed depots to take advantage of off-peak rates.
Public Fast Charging - Fast charging sites often get hit with high-demand charges. By enrolling in utility demand response programs, they can modulate charging rates across chargers during peak events to reduce costs.
Multi-Unit Dwellings - Apartments want to offer charging amenities but often have limited electrical capacity. Smart charging allows optimizing charging across residents while keeping within capacity.
Wireless Charging - Emerging wireless (inductive) charging systems will need smarts to dynamically adjust charging rates and communicate with vehicles. This prevents overloading as conditions change.
Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G) - EVs can discharge power back to the grid using V2G. Smart charging platforms will play a critical role in coordinating when vehicles discharge to support grid stability.
Overcoming Challenges to Smarter Charging
While promising, smart charging also faces challenges:
Consumer Acceptance – Drivers may resist utilities controlling charging times unless proper incentives are provided. Clear communication of benefits is critical.
Demand Charges – Many utilities impose demand charges on commercial sites based on their peak consumption. Smart charging must significantly reduce these peaks to benefit such sites.
Distributed Infrastructure – Thousands of distributed chargers must be networked and standardized to enable broad smart charging. Investments in networking and software are needed.
Dynamic Pricing – Charging incentives often rely on dynamic electricity pricing based on supply and demand. The widespread adoption of time-of-use pricing is an enabler.
Grid Capacity – In areas with under-capacity distribution grids, smart charging can help optimize charging, though major capacity upgrades may still be required to support mass EV adoption.
Despite these barriers, the momentum behind smart charging is quickly building. Continued technology improvements, declining costs, supportive policies, and progress on standards will help the industry overcome challenges.
The Road Ahead for Smart Charging
With EVs poised for massive growth over the next decade, smart charging represents a critical tool for managing the impacts on the grid. The two-way communication enabled by smart charging will allow our charging infrastructure and power grids to evolve together.
The result will be more sustainable transportation powered by renewable energy. Smart charging provides the intelligence needed to weave together millions of EVs into a larger energy ecosystem. While there are still challenges to address, smart charging paves the way for the electric future.
Make Smart Charging a Reality with EV Connect
As smart charging paves the way for mass EV adoption, organizations need a partner that provides comprehensive, scalable solutions. With over a decade of experience and over 100,000 charging ports deployed, EV Connect offers industry-leading software, hardware, and services.
Our charging platforms integrate with any network while optimizing costs and energy use. We make implementing smart charging simple through our end-to-end guidance – from site evaluation and equipment selection to incentive management, installation, and driver support.
Don't wait to harness the power of smart EV charging.
Contact EV Connect today to schedule a consultation with our experts. We'll ensure you deploy future-ready charging tailored to your sites, drivers, and sustainability goals. Be at the forefront and let smart charging charge up your organization.
Sources:
The White House - FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Private and Public Sector Investments for Affordable Electric Vehicles
Idaho National Laboratory - The new study was posted last week by the journal Energy Policy
Electric Vehicle Charging & Infrastructure - What the world of EV charging can expect in 2024