Why is it so difficult to install EV charging in Multi-Unit Residential Building (“MURB”)
There are several unique challenges that multi-tenant buildings (e.g., apartments or condominiums) must overcome in order to implement an effective electric vehicle (EV) charging solution. The most challenging of these factors are the capacity constraint caused by aging and inadequate electrical systems and grid infrastructure. The fact is that installing EV chargers, especially in residential or commercial buildings, can create a strain on the existing electrical system if not properly planned for. The majority of multi-tenant buildings were not originally designed to support the electrical load required to manage an adequate EV charger solution, and upgrading an existing facilities electrical system to accommodate multiple EV chargers requires costly improvements such as increasing the capacity of the building’s electrical panels and upgrading the grid infrastructure that supplies power to the building.
Key factors that contribute to capacity issues
1. Power Demand of EV Chargers
- High power requirements: EV chargers consume a significant amount of electricity. A typical Level 2 charger will typically draw between 7 kW and 19.2 kW of power, depending on the charger’s capacity. When multiple EV chargers are installed, the collective demand for power quickly rises.
- Multiple EVs charging simultaneously: In situations like multi-unit buildings or condominiums, if several EVs are charging at the same time, the building’s electrical system is not able to support the added demand. This leads to potential power overloads and the need for expensive upgrades.
2. Electrical Panel Capacity
- Panel limitations: The building’s electrical panel has a limited capacity for distributing power to various circuits. In older buildings or homes, the electrical panel may not have sufficient capacity to handle the additional load of an EV charger without causing overloading.
- Circuit breaker capacity: If the electrical panel is already near its capacity, adding an EV charger will trip circuit breakers. To safely add an EV charger, the panel may need to be upgraded, which can be costly and complex.
3. Utility Grid Load
- Peak demand concerns: Capacity issues for EV Chargers primarily relates to the electrical infrastructure’s ability to handle the additional power demand that EV chargers impose. When many EVs are charged during peak electricity usage times (such as evenings when people return home), the power grid will experience higher demand than it was designed for. This results in higher electricity costs or even power outages when capacity is exceeded.
- Increased load on the grid: Widespread EV charger installations in neighborhoods or cities can increase the overall demand for electricity on the local power grid. This could lead to capacity issues at a larger scale, requiring utilities to upgrade transformers, substations, and distribution networks to accommodate the growing demand.
How do you resolve capacity constraints?
As the adoption rate of electric vehicles increases the need for robust electrical systems capable of supporting higher loads is vital. This is where an optimized Energy Management System (EMS) combined with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and Smart EV Charging network will shine.
A properly designed BESS provides a significant increase in available on-site Demand Energy that allows a large EV Charger network to operate without overloading the existing facility or attached grid infrastructure and eliminating the need for expensive upgrades. BESS’ can be sized to meet the needs of any existing site and can provide MW’s of additional capacity allowing clients to EV charge when it is most convenient to them. These systems are fully scalable and additional capacity can be added as needs change in the future. In addition, Smart chargers can help manage capacity issues by controlling when and how much power is delivered to each EV or to balance the load among several chargers so that they do not all draw maximum power at once if required.