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With reduced carbon emissions, the growing implementation of EVs will be instrumental in transforming the energy industry and reducing pollution by 40-50 percent.
FERMONT, CA: The rise of electric and autonomous vehicles coincides with a shift towards cleaner, more decentralized and digital energy systems. After years of stagnant development in electricity charges, the need to charge millions of Electric Vehicles (EVs) will again increase electricity charges and generate possibilities for new facilities. The rapid deployment of DC Fast Chargers (DCFCs) for EVs is a critical element of this transformation, now commonly regarded to present substantial adaptation difficulties to the host utility. But while adaptation may be a challenge, taking up and deploying DCFCs that are publicly available offers substantial possibilities for the utility industry. Read on!
Charging Impact on the Grid
Electric Vehicles' first-generation plug-in came with an onboard charger that could carry AC energy at household voltages. Mostly, an EV got a "trickle" charge from an extension cord (Level 1) for overnight charging, or from a dedicated AC charger with a range of less than half a mile/minute, taking several hours to charge a substantial charge. With DCFC technology fueling cars to quicker and lowering expenses, the race to deploy government DCFC stations has started along roads, putting the problem of grid inclusion under the microscope and on the critical track.
Importance of Smart Grid Interaction
The high energy required for this new class of EV chargers needs grid operators to assess grid effects, and smart grid operators need to upgrade power grid segments when necessary. Redesigning these quick chargers with improved flexibility and added value goal is important–and this re-imagination of DCFC architectures is already ongoing with intelligent, utility-interactive DC Fast Charging. DCFC stations deployed along radial feeders will provide new control capacities for utilities that leverage intelligence, sensors and artificial intelligence grid edge. In combination with fixed or mobile energy storage, DCFC can improve the radial feeder's ability to integrate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).
Energy Freedom for Utilities and Customers
Collectively, with each new EV sold, the storage capability of EVs is vast and increasing, representing the biggest grid-connected battery in aggregate. EV owners could power their homes using V2G technology with excess energy stored in car batteries or sell back to utilities, managing energy demand fluctuations. Using real-time prices, utilities could encourage EV owners to sign up during the day when renewable energy is excessive and sell it back to the grid during heavy demand times, saving cash while performing grid-balancing. Energy freedom improves the storage base for renewables for utilities, encourages customer loyalty, and puts the utility industry at the forefront of green projects while opening up fresh income streams.
Utilities will acquire the technology needed for quicker integration and interconnection of EV chargers, while potentially engaging in several fresh models to generate extra income. Smart DCFC infrastructure will assist utilities in developing a 'pivot point' for grid upgrading to unlock the conversion needed for significant growth possibilities along with fulfilling cleaner energy mandates.
