What is EV charging load management and balancing?
EV charging load management balances energy demand throughout the day, with a focus on reducing energy usage during peak demands. On a micro-level, when only a single charge point is in use, it shifts the charging session to a time that energy is less expensive or to when energy is more available. When multiple charge points are in use, it balances the energy among them to ensure that vehicles can be charged in the way that best serves the driver or business.
On a more macro level, it creates equilibrium among prices, generation, and consumer demand, across charging sites, EV fleet depots, campuses, commercial and Industrial buildings, etc. It streamlines EV charging without affecting delivery of electricity to offices or homes. EV charging load balancing reduces the burden on the grid, which is already facing strain from “traditional” peak demand, while optimizing electric vehicle charging.
How does EV charging load balancing work?
EV charging load balancing instructs the chargers to deliver the right amount of energy and manages the energy flow across charge points, the power grid, renewable energy sources and onsite energy storage systems. It offsets peak demand, whether on the charging site level, multiple sites, or within campuses. It is critical in an EV fleet environment, as it must manage the volume and power demands of vehicles coming through.
EV charging load management is delivered via a software-based, typically a SaaS solution, where the system is in constant communication with the vehicles, charge points and the electricity infrastructure.
EV charging load balancing can be static, where it is “preassigned” based on time of day and / or pricing for example, or dynamic, where it changes in real time using complex algorithms adjusting energy consumption and redirecting it to the most critical areas.
EV charging load balancing can be calculated on-the-fly to react to changes such as vehicles’ arrivals, changes in peak demand, or in advance, for EV fleet overnight requirements, for example.
Why should EV charging providers care about EV charging load balancing?
EV charging load balancing maximizes charging site efficiency and customer satisfaction by ensuring that every individual charge point has the right amount of energy to supply each vehicle. EV charging load management is critical to meeting customers’ basic expectations for EV charging and to reducing energy costs. EV charging load balancing ensures that every vehicle can be charged on time, considering the actual power demands across the entire site. Therefore, it helps ensure power availability to charges, delivering the most basic of service. At the most basic level, smart load management ensures that the vehicle will leave on time with enough energy and alert the driver if this cannot be achieved.
Furthermore, EV charging load balancing means the service provider can buy electricity from the power grid when it is cheaper and store the energy onsite, meeting the needs of peak customer demand without paying the prices for peak power demand. With EV charging load balancing, EV charging service providers can meet both vehicle and driver requirements and allocate power based on energy priorities.
Without charging load management and balancing, EV service providers will be paying not only peak energy rates but may also face fines for taxing the grid.
