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What about the constraints of what the power grid can support in terms of mass EV rollout? What about the charging infrastructure itself? The first point in p

by cletus 7y ago

What about the constraints of what the power grid can support in terms of mass EV rollout? What about the charging infrastructure itself? The first point in particular doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves. As an example some places (try to) ban crypto mining because the extra power load effectively makes power more expensive for everyone. The residential grid is built with a particular established demand for power. EV charging would significantly change that in many places.

wongarsu 7y ago
The power grid is built to handle peak demand. Residential charging is likely to peak at night, when domestic demand is at its lowest. If natural charging patterns are not advantageous enough it's fairly straight forward to install smart meters that charge a different electricity price depending on time of day. The options range from simple off-peak pricing already offered in many places all the way up to live updating prices based on electricity spot prices and transmission capacity (this would also go a long way towards using solar and wind more efficiently). The big problems are likely shops offering EV charging and industrial facilities with fairly constant power requirements charging trucks and heavy equipment. But those are comparatively easy to scale.
- opsroller 7y ago
  Hmm, if only there was a company who could help balance demand. https://www.tesla.com/megapack https://www.tesla.com/megapack
benj111 7y ago
It seems like EVs would add 25% to electricity demand. The big question is how you deal with the peaks. Ideally all cars would be able to charge overnight, so you could potentially spread that demand over 12 hours or more. https://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/ElectronicsDesignArticles/ArticleID/15971/How-Much-Electricity-Will-EVs-Require.aspx https://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/ElectronicsDes...
- opsroller 7y ago
  Hmm, if only there was a company who could help balance demand. https://www.tesla.com/megapack https://www.tesla.com/megapack

by cletus 7y ago

wongarsu 7y ago

The power grid is built to handle peak demand. Residential charging is likely to peak at night, when domestic demand is at its lowest. If natural charging patterns are not advantageous enough it's fairly straight forward to install smart meters that charge a different electricity price depending on time of day. The options range from simple off-peak pricing already offered in many places all the way up to live updating prices based on electricity spot prices and transmission capacity (this would also go a long way towards using solar and wind more efficiently). The big problems are likely shops offering EV charging and industrial facilities with fairly constant power requirements charging trucks and heavy equipment. But those are comparatively easy to scale.

opsroller 7y ago
Hmm, if only there was a company who could help balance demand. https://www.tesla.com/megapack https://www.tesla.com/megapack

benj111 7y ago

It seems like EVs would add 25% to electricity demand. The big question is how you deal with the peaks. Ideally all cars would be able to charge overnight, so you could potentially spread that demand over 12 hours or more. https://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/ElectronicsDesignArticles/ArticleID/15971/How-Much-Electricity-Will-EVs-Require.aspx https://www.engineering.com/ElectronicsDesign/ElectronicsDes...

opsroller 7y ago
Hmm, if only there was a company who could help balance demand. https://www.tesla.com/megapack https://www.tesla.com/megapack