——How to improve the efficiency of power grid through reasonable location selection

As electric vehicles (EVs) rapidly gain popularity worldwide, the development of charging infrastructure becomes increasingly crucial. The installation location of chargers not only affects user convenience but also directly impacts grid efficiency. This article will delve into the principles of electric vehicle charging and explore how strategic siting can enhance grid performance.

understand the charging principle of EV

First of all, we should understand the charging principle of electric vehicles, the basic principle of electric vehicle charger is to convert the electric energy in the grid into electric energy available for electric vehicles. According to the different charging methods, electric vehicle chargers can be divided into the following types: 

Slow charge (Level 1 and Level 2) : Usually use household power (such as 220V) to charge, suitable for home or office environments, charging speed is slow. 

Fast charging (DC fast charging) : The use of DC power for fast charging, suitable for public charging stations, can provide a lot of electricity for electric vehicles in a short time.

The efficiency of the charger and the stability of the grid are affected by a variety of factors, including load balancing, voltage fluctuations, and management of charging peaks. The basic function of the grid is to transfer electricity from the power plant to the end user through transmission lines. As a part of the power grid, the installation location of the charger is not only related to the transmission efficiency of electric energy, but also affects the load distribution and stability of the power grid. Electric vehicle chargers charge electric vehicles by converting alternating current (AC) in the grid to direct current (DC) or directly using AC, a process that involves energy loss and conversion efficiency.

Impact of Charger Installation Locations on Grid Efficiency

1. Load Balancing

The location of chargers directly affects the grid's load balance. During peak times, if chargers are concentrated in specific areas, it may lead to overload in those regions, resulting in voltage drops and frequency fluctuations. Such imbalances not only degrade the user experience but can also cause equipment failures and energy losses. Therefore, chargers should be distributed strategically to achieve balanced loads and stabilize the grid.

2. Adaptability of Grid Infrastructure

The capacity of grid infrastructure varies by region, and charger installation locations must account for local grid capabilities. For instance, installing high-power chargers in areas with weak supply capacity could overload the grid, impacting overall operational efficiency. A detailed load assessment is necessary to ensure the grid can adequately support charging facilities.

3. User Demand and Convenience

The distribution of chargers should not only consider technical indicators but also reflect actual user demand. Research indicates that users prefer charging in high-traffic areas like shopping centers, office buildings, and residential neighborhoods. Strategically selecting installation sites can reduce charging time and distance for users, thereby improving overall charging efficiency.

How does the location of electric vehicle chargers affect the grid

The charging mode presents a challenge to the grid. Charging mode refers to a specific time of day when many electric vehicle owners charge their cars simultaneously. Earlier studies have found that most electric car owners charge their cars at the same time: at night. This makes sense, as few people would buy an electric car if they hadn't installed a home EV charger. When drivers get home from work, they plug their cars in for the next day's commute. But all this sudden demand can overwhelm the grid. The researchers say the electricity needed to charge electric vehicles in the evening peak could soon exceed 20 percent of what the current grid can provide.

Peak charging and green energy waste

Another issue the researchers believe is related to the location of electric vehicle chargers is related to solar energy loss. By 2050, solar power will provide 20 percent of the nation's energy. At this scale, even small inefficiencies can cause significant damage. The problem is that we don't have a good, affordable way to store solar energy. Grid-scale batteries are expensive. This makes solar energy a "use or waste" phenomenon. Of course, the only time you can use fresh solar power is when the sun is out - that is, not at night, when electric car drivers like to recharge their cars.

Determining where to install electric vehicle chargers to improve grid efficiency?

——Make workplace parking lots and homes ideal places to install new electric car chargers.

Design energy-saving electric vehicle charging stations in the workplace parking lot. Fleet garages, shopping malls, industrial facilities and parking lots in apartment buildings all have to use space efficiently. They must ensure that driving, parking and walking roads are free of expensive equipment and tripping hazards. However, in order to encourage people to use charging stations, they must also be user-friendly. Meeting all of these goals simultaneously will require thoughtful design of EV charging stations. Here are some hints:

Stick with level 1 or 2 EV chargers. A Level 1 charger is recommended for slow workplace charging. Home/street/fleet charging facilities can benefit from Level 2 chargers. No need to spend (or take up space) on a DC fast charging unit.

Choose an EV charger holder with the smallest footprint possible. Some electric car charger holders are designed to look like gas pumps. The narrow design can save more space on the electric car charger base. Install two chargers per stand. Choose an EV charging base that can accommodate multiple chargers at the same time, further reducing the footprint. This effectively cuts in half the support infrastructure needed for multi-vehicle charging stations.

Every EV charger should be equipped with a cable management solution. Do not leave the charging cable coiled on the floor. They can trip pedestrians. Or a car could run over them, causing costly damage. Choose an electric car charger cable reel, which can lift the cable from dangerous places while making it easy to access while charging.

Use structural barriers to protect electric vehicle charging devices. The use of structural bollards or guardrail fences to close electric vehicle charging devices can reduce the possibility of vehicle collisions without obstructing user access.

ENERGYX can provide everything you need to set up a reliable EV charging station at home, at work, or anywhere else. We offer integrated EV chargers and docking stations and cable management kits for both indoor and outdoor use in single or dual charger models.

It also makes it easier to charge household electric vehicles. Design delayed home charging methods so that the current grid is fully capable of keeping everyone's electric vehicles running. Delayed home charging means that charging is completed before the driver needs the vehicle. For example, if you need to leave for work at 7am and your battery only takes two hours to fully charge, it will start charging at 5am. A simple app could control these charging intervals, giving consumers control over the charging end time, rather than the start time, resulting in excess demand. The researchers say that if we adopt delayed home charging plans, the change in driving behavior is enough to spread out electricity demand. This does not help solar energy use, but it can prevent a sudden shortage of power resources.

Slow charging in the workplace and delayed charging in the home combine to make today's grid work for tomorrow's electric vehicle fleet. This makes home and workplace parking lots ideal places to install new electric vehicle chargers.

In addition to reasonable location at home and work sites, intelligent means should also be involved to achieve a two-way interaction between charging strategies and grid efficiency

Intelligent charge management

The development of intelligent charging technology has made the scheduling of electric vehicle charging more flexible. During peak charging periods, the intelligent system can dynamically adjust the charging speed and time, thus avoiding high loads on the grid. This strategy not only optimizes the charging process, but also effectively reduces the peak power demand, providing support for the long-term stable operation of the grid.

Access to renewable energy

Combining chargers with renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind) can alleviate the burden on the grid to a certain extent. For example, solar charging stations work efficiently during the day, which can reduce reliance on traditional power grids and improve charging efficiency. This model promotes the use of green energy while enhancing the resilience of the grid.

Conclusion

Where EV chargers are installed has a profound impact on grid efficiency. Reasonable layout can not only improve the convenience of charging, but also enhance the stability and toughness of the power grid. With the rapid development of the electric vehicle market, we need to find a balance between technological innovation, policy support and user needs to promote the sustainable development of charging infrastructure. This will not only help improve the efficiency of the grid, but also lay a solid foundation for achieving the goal of green mobility.