Understanding the Utility of Managed EV Charging
Electric vehicles have become a key player in the energy transition, offering utilities a versatile resource to navigate the changing landscape. EnergyHub's managed charging solution provides a comprehensive approach to unlock the full potential benefits of EVs for utilities. By actively managing EV charging through a continuously running optimization algorithm, EnergyHub enables dynamic, automated control of EVs across a utility's service territory.
Optimizing Grid Benefits with Managed Charging
EnergyHub's solution focuses on optimizing EV load to achieve various grid benefits at both bulk and distribution levels. For bulk systems, the solution effectively shifts EV charging load away from peak periods, reducing wholesale energy and capacity costs. On the distribution side, the solution minimizes EV charging during peak hours, thus extending the life of distribution assets and preventing failures. Additionally, customers benefit from personalized charging experiences and energy cost savings.
Dynamic Charging Optimization
Unlike static charging schedules, EnergyHub's solution dynamically optimizes each EV's charging schedule based on driver preferences and real-time grid conditions. This optimization occurs every 15 minutes, ensuring that urgent charging needs are prioritized while still respecting grid constraints. Customers always receive the necessary charge by their departure time, with charge deferred only when there is flexibility within the system.
Key Findings and Benefits for Utilities
A recent study involving over 100 EV drivers showcased the effectiveness of EnergyHub's managed charging solution. By comparing active managed charging to unmanaged scenarios, two key benefits emerged for utilities. Firstly, managed charging was able to shift approximately 60% of on-peak charging to off-peak hours, leading to substantial cost savings and reduced strain on the grid. Secondly, the solution managed to decrease distribution-level peak demand by up to 30%, alleviating concerns about strain on distribution assets.
Enhancing Distribution Grid Resilience
EnergyHub's managed charging solution plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of distribution grids. By applying distribution load limits and optimizing EV load, the solution reduces strain on critical assets like transformers. Through hierarchical grouping of EVs, the solution can effectively manage distribution load at various levels of the grid, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of distribution assets.
Flexibility and Scalability
EnergyHub's solution offers flexibility and scalability to meet diverse utility requirements. Even in cases where detailed grid asset data is unavailable, the solution can apply load limits to entire groups of vehicles, achieving similar outcomes to time-of-use programs while mitigating strain on distribution assets. By controlling EV charging, utilities can optimize grid operations, reduce costs, and buy time for strategic upgrades.