Summary
- Smart charge management for electric vehicles can benefit drivers, utility companies, governments, and fleets
- National laboratories NREL and LBNL surveyed smart charge management programs in the US
- The report highlighted the need for advancements in technologies and standard practices for smart charge management
- Recommendations included expanding field demonstrations, developing dynamic pricing mechanisms, and creating automated scheduling systems
- Efforts to advance standards, communications hardware, and interoperability between EVs and charging stations are crucial for wider adoption
Article
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) conducted a survey on smart charge management for electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States. They reviewed over 100 managed charging programs and conducted 40 interviews with utility companies and stakeholders. Smart charge management involves intelligently managing the flow of electricity that charges EVs, which can benefit drivers, utility companies, governments, and fleets. By adjusting the level of electricity provided to an EV’s battery at a given time, smart charge management technologies can prioritize EV charging during times of lower grid demand, reducing costs and grid strain.
The report highlighted the underutilization of site-level smart charge management and the lack of economic data to support smart charge management investments by utilities. Fragmented vehicle-grid integration standards are also hindering widespread adoption of smart charge management. Three key themes emerged from the review, including the need for advancements in technologies and standard practices to enable more widespread adoption of smart charge management.
To address the gaps in smart charge management knowledge, practice, and technology, the report authors recommended expanding smart charge management field demonstrations, developing dynamic pricing mechanisms for EV charging, creating systems that automate smart charge management scheduling, and advancing standards for smart charge management. They also recommended quantifying the market and policy impacts of smart charge management programs and sharing those results to accelerate adoption. Increasing both driver and utility confidence in these programs is essential for wider implementation of smart charge management.
One of the key findings of the report was the importance of increasing driver and utility confidence in smart charge management programs to drive wider implementation. Sharing findings and results from successful smart charge management programs across the country can help utilities see the possibilities and benefits of these technologies. By implementing the recommendations from the report and advancing the state of smart charge management standards, communications hardware, and technologies, the adoption of smart charge management can be accelerated.
Overall, smart charge management for EVs offers significant benefits such as reducing costs, minimizing grid strain, and promoting wider EV adoption. By addressing the identified gaps and implementing the recommended solutions, utilities, EV companies, governments, and fleets can work towards a more sustainable transportation system powered by smart charge management technologies.
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