Introduction
Setting up a single charge point for an electric vehicle (EV) can be simple. However, it becomes complicated when you want to set up multiple chargers in different locations and operate them efficiently. Moreover, the growth in electric vehicles poses a serious risk to the power grid’s load, which, if unmanaged, could create blackouts or raise power bills for consumers with peak charges and surges.
The good news is that Smart Charging technology has a working solution for this problem. Smart Charging is a technique that regulates the power output of EV chargers to avoid overloading the grid and prevent blackouts. By using load management, EV owners and operators can optimize their charging performance, reduce their electricity costs, and contribute to a more stable and sustainable energy system. The entire process of optimally charging the electric vehicle is managed by the central system. Instead of charging all vehicles at the maximum capacity of charging stations, it reduces, delays or increases the power to the electric vehicle based on the optimizing algorithm. Smart Charging provides different approaches for managing the load, such as static or dynamic load management.
Static vs Dynamic Load Management
First, let’s examine the pros and cons of static and dynamic load management approaches. Static load management is helpful for charge point operators with a smaller network of charging stations. In this approach, the charging rate for each charger is kept fixed to avoid surges. It is simple to use and cost-effective to build. However, this approach does not result in the efficient use of charging stations based on the time of the day and load on the grid.
On the other hand, dynamic load management can be used for larger networks with varying demand for EV charging throughout the day. In dynamic load management, you can define all power-producing and power-consuming assets, and charging is optimized based on the overall demand on the microgrid. You can manage your charging system more effectively without upgrading electrical infrastructure.
How does Smart Charging Work?
Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) provides options for creating TxDefaultProfile, which can be applied to all the charging stations. This profile enables charging as per the default value set up in the profile. There is also an option to create TxProfile, which is created for specific transactions and is valid only for one-time usage. Using a combination of TxDafultProfile and TxProfile, smart charging services are enabled where a vehicle can be prioritized over another vehicle for charging. Even a higher tariff can be setup for priority charging.
Smart Charging for Decarbonization
Many studies have shown a duck curve phenomenon during mid-day, showing abundant renewable energy availability. Charging electric vehicles during the duck curve hours can ensure green power for electric vehicles and better utilization of renewable energy to decarbonize the planet.
Cero Smart EV Charging Platform enables an intelligent electric charging network. It helps manage your EV charging network better. With Optimizer to deliver smart charging with dynamic load management, Cero is on the path to changing how Charging Services are offered.
