3 ms·

The single most challenging issue in conversations about these topics is the role of time in the electricity sector's design process. The average home car char

The single most challenging issue in conversations about these topics is the role of time in the electricity sector's design process. The average home car charger is the largest consumer of power in a household, often by as much as 2x - 3x the next largest device. That next largest device is often a heat pump, radiant heat or electric stove. Calculations for the grid as a whole ignore the fact that there are local and regional capacity bottlenecks, where meeting demand becomes a problem and the solution requires years of planning. The feeder running along my street assumes a maximum power at each house of 10 kW and that 33% of houses consume that peak power at the same time. Imagine now if all houses added a 7 kW car charger, all charging during the night, every night. That is the havoc i refer to.

thebruce87m 3y ago
It’s not a sustained draw all night for every car. I averaged 17kWh/day in the last week. My energy provider schedules the charge in 30 minute chunks. It will charge during the peak time if it wants too ( and I get off-peak charges). Both the UK and US have this already. https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero/electric-vehicles-myths-misconceptions https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero/ele... > Through smart charging EVs can in fact help to balance the system, helping consumers use green power when it’s plentiful (and often cheaper) and avoid times when there’s more load on the network. Vehicle-to-grid technology could even send that power back to the grid when needed. > With this in mind, the UK Government has introduced Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Points Regulations, which ensure that EV charge points will have this smart functionality. > Similarly in the US, Smart Chargers and Time of Use Rate programmes will support balancing the load throughout the day.

thebruce87m 3y ago

It’s not a sustained draw all night for every car. I averaged 17kWh/day in the last week. My energy provider schedules the charge in 30 minute chunks. It will charge during the peak time if it wants too ( and I get off-peak charges). Both the UK and US have this already. https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero/electric-vehicles-myths-misconceptions https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero/ele... > Through smart charging EVs can in fact help to balance the system, helping consumers use green power when it’s plentiful (and often cheaper) and avoid times when there’s more load on the network. Vehicle-to-grid technology could even send that power back to the grid when needed. > With this in mind, the UK Government has introduced Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Points Regulations, which ensure that EV charge points will have this smart functionality. > Similarly in the US, Smart Chargers and Time of Use Rate programmes will support balancing the load throughout the day.