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EV charging infrastructure is quickly becoming an important aspect for most modern businesses looking to adopt sustainability measures and boost their brand image. Customers are increasingly looking to do business with brands that care about the environment and are doing their part to make a difference.
According to a survey by Emission Sentri, even modern employees are seeking out jobs for businesses that promote sustainability, with 70% of job seekers actively looking for companies that are taking steps to build a better tomorrow.
EVs provide a great way to not only pursue sustainability but also provide a valuable amenity to both employees and visitors. If you are a business owner looking to install an EV charger at your car park, there are several important things you must consider.
An EV charging setup includes factors such as choosing from different adapter types to electronic equipment and even load management systems. Read on to learn more about dynamic load balancing vs static load management, how you can make the most out of your car park EV charging setup, and the best type of load management system for your needs:
Load management systems are specialised electronic equipment that enable an EV charging infrastructure to smartly allocate power across multiple charging points. This system was developed to increase efficiency, manage overall power load, and boost or reserve power for rapid chargers.
These systems are used by controlling the flow of electricity. Every property is allocated a fixed amount of power that it can use to power electronics. This includes power for EV chargers. However, with a finite amount of power and with EV chargers with varying power requirements, how does one effectively balance everything?
This is where the load management chargers come in. You can think of the total allotted electricity as a water reservoir and the wires that go from the main power box to the EV chargers as tributaries.
In a normal system, the flow of water (or electricity) would be the same. For example, if you have three 7kW chargers installed at your premises, then all of them would get the same amount of electricity. However, when you add rapid chargers into the mix, you would need to adjust the flow of the tributaries using a type of flow regulator.
Standard EV charging power ranges from 1 to 3 kW for Level 1 chargers. These are designed for slow, household outlets. On the other hand, 3.7 to 22 kW are known as Level 2 chargers and are faster and great for dedicated home or public spaces. Rapid chargers can go up to 50 kW and above and are considered Level 3 and are reserved for commercial locations.
In most cases, standard home chargers use a 7kW charger that balances speed and installation requirements, while commercial spaces can have a combination of 7 to 50kW chargers.
If we revisit the analogy discussed above, rapid chargers on the premises would throw off the balance of power provided around the premises in a way that every EV charging outlet would be inefficient.
A great way to fix this issue is to install a load management charging system, which acts as a valve that controls the flow of electricity. So, instead of all the power going towards the rapid chargers, the flow regulator enables every outlet to operate efficiently based on how many are in use.
For example, if the load management charger system detects that only the rapid chargers are connected on the premises, then all the power will be diverted to these power-intensive outlets, making them super-efficient. However, if some level 2 and one level 3 chargers are active, then the load management will smartly allocate power so that every charger gets enough power to quickly and efficiently charge EVs on the premises.
There are two primary types of load management chargers:
Also known as SLM systems, these load management tools allocate a fixed or pre-set power share to each charger. Since the system is static, it disregards real-time demand or site conditions and focuses on providing an equal amount of power to the chargers.
These systems are easier and simpler to implement since they require minimal hardware and software to integrate. However, they can lead to underutilisation when the load around the premises decreases. For example, if there are five level 2 chargers installed at an EV charging station, then the total power will be divided equally; however, even when just one charger is in active use, the charging outlet would receive its fixed share rather than having the unused power diverted to it.
Dynamic Load Balancers or DLMs are smart controllers that continuously monitor electricity use across the premises. Since these are dynamic load-balancing EV chargers, they adjust power distribution among chargers in real-time, making them highly efficient.
The downside, however, is that these systems require additional hardware in the form of meters, CT clamps, EMS integration, and software. They are more expensive to implement than static chargers but are excellent at optimising available capacity and improving efficiency while avoiding overloads.
Dynamic load-balancing EV chargers may seem expensive upfront, but the benefits that they provide long-term are immeasurable, especially if your property has a lot of chargers and your car park is frequented by many users.
To answer this question, we will have to look at a few factors.
The size of the premises is a great starting point for figuring out what type of load management system would best suit your car park. For example, static load management EV chargers work well when site power usage is consistently the same and the number of chargers is limited. This is ideal for small car parks with up to two or three Level 2 chargers.
The SLM provides a budget-friendly solution, and since it isn’t a complex system to install, you can have it up and running in no time with minimal hardware and software requirements.
However, if you have a larger car park, then your best bet would be to go for a dynamic load management system. These systems excel in areas that have multiple and fluctuating loads like heavy lighting, HVAC systems, and appliances. Dynamic load management EV chargers monitor usage in real-time and provide a dynamic adjustment that enables each charger to obtain maximum efficiency.
As mentioned above, using this dynamic system, if the car park has more electricity to spare, then the system can divert full power to the outlets in use. On the other hand, if rapid chargers are in use, then the system can smartly allocate power so that each level 2 and level 3 user gets appropriate power depending on the total load.
The goal for people with small or large car parks is to opt for a strategy that provides them with maximum benefits over time. A great way to get the most out of your investment could be to start small and use a static load management system first.
SLMs may suffice initially and are quicker to set up, making them attractive for people who want to start up as soon as possible. They are also less costly, making them ideal for people looking for lower upfront costs.
However, the eventual goal should be to scale and expand the system as needed. Dynamic load-balancing EV charging systems are excellent for the long term and enable future expansion without costly power upgrades.
The decision would again come down to the power needed around the premises. If you start with a small number of chargers, then you may be able to get by with a static system; however, if you plan on expanding and adding more chargers, particularly rapid chargers, then a dynamic system would be best suited for future growth and efficiency.
In summary, you should go with Static Load Balancing if:
You can go for Dynamic Load Balancing if:
EV charging technology provides a convenient and low-maintenance solution for people looking to install multiple chargers in their premises. However, there are a few tips that can enable you to maintain the longevity and efficiency of the chargers.
Let’s look at some of the best tips:
To get the most out of your EV charger installation, you will need to make sure that you pick the right hardware for your installation. This is where professional installers like Calder Electrical come in.
The EV charging infrastructure is the backbone of the EV ecosystem. This means that the charging infrastructure will require the right type of hardware that can sustain and handle the load of the charging station, even at full capacity.
You will also have to pick the right load balancing system for your premises. For example, if all chargers are in use and all of them are fast chargers, then the load will be equally divided. This may result in slower charging speeds overall, but it will greatly decrease the load put on the station and increase its longevity.
Calder Electrical can help perform an electrical audit of your premises and provide you with meaningful insights for your property. This audit can then be used to decide on the best type of system for your premises and usage demands.
Providing diversity for plugs is as important as choosing the right hardware. Adding diverse chargers to the mix enables you to cater to multiple EV users. For example, while most of Europe uses the three-pin 13-amp Type 2 (AC) or CCS-Type 2 (DC) charger plug, you can add diversity and increase your coverage for customers with imported EVs from other regions that require different plugs.
Plug types depend on the manufacturer, and as the EV market becomes more competitive, you can bet that you will see multiple types of EVs around your premises. Take Chinese EV manufacturer BYD as an example. These EVs are becoming popular due to their pricing and features, and some of the variants use different charging plugs.
Plug diversity is becoming more mainstream for charging stations, which is good news since it allows for more people to visit the charging stations, and therefore enables a better Return on Investment (ROI).
As a general guideline, we recommend that you consider connector types like CHAdeMO, CCS, Tesla, and Type 1 and 2 plugs. This combination can attract the most people and help you get the most out of your investment.
Here is a quick cheat sheet for charger types required by region:
| Plug Name | Region | |||
| Japan | China | America | Europe | |
| Plug Name (AC) | Type 1 – J1772 | GB/T | Type 1 – J1772 | Type 2 |
| Plug Name (DC) | CHAdeMO | GB/T | CCS-Type 1 | CCS-Type 2 |
We mentioned that EV charging infrastructure requires little maintenance – this is true, but if you don’t look after the hardware for a long time, then you are bound to run into problems. EV infrastructure is just like any other electrical system; it requires regular inspections and maintenance for maximum efficiency.
EV infrastructure uses equipment and components built according to the strict guidelines set by the British Standards. This allows manufacturers to produce fail-safe and foolproof components that can handle a variety of loads so long as the system is operated as per the specifications.
However, given time, these systems can depreciate, as is the nature of anything that runs on electricity, which is why it is important that a professional technician looks after the installation over the course of its lifetime.
If you opt for a certified electrical installation company like Calder Electrical, then you can be sure that your station will be running at 100% efficiency 24/7. Professional electricians can perform an audit of the station and provide you with an in-depth and detailed report about its overall health.
Technicians can also help you provide solutions and figure out the best way to tackle smaller issues before they become major concerns. You can also go for a maintenance contract, which is recommended to ensure that your EV charging station will automatically be maintained and managed by a professional company following a schedule.
At Calder Electrical, we install EV chargers in line with the current regulations and can offer a government incentive to reduce the installation costs for both domestic and commercial properties.
There are various EV chargers currently on the market, and it can be a little confusing to choose the best one for your needs. We will take out the hassle and provide you with the most suitable and affordable option, ranging from the standard systems to the smart ones that are becoming increasingly popular.
We are authorised and registered OZEV installers, and our charge points come with a 3-year warranty. We offer all kinds of different options to choose from, such as wall-mounted to freestanding pedestal units with different types of chargers and charging speeds.
Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 3001 for our expert opinion and more information on dynamic load balancing vs static load management, and deciding which option best suits your car park.
Photo by Benjamin Cheng on Unsplash
