Making the most out of DC smart charging [2023 update]

Rapid Advancements in Charging Solutions

Over the past few years, electric mobility has seen remarkable growth. As EV adoption accelerates, so too has the evolution of charging infrastructure, which is no longer just about hardware—it’s about creating a seamless, efficient experience.

This is where smart charging comes into play. In this article, we'll explore what smart EV charging entails and how it applies specifically to DC fast charging setups.

What Is Smart Charging?

Smart charging, also known as intelligent charging, refers to a suite of features aimed at optimizing EV charging infrastructure and minimizing the strain on your location’s electrical system. It’s more than just delivering power—it’s about doing so efficiently and sustainably.

To better understand its implications, we spoke with Jelle van Doornik, our product manager and smart charging expert, in one of our REVOLUTION Podcast episodes.

“Smart charging is an umbrella term for numerous features that aim to influence how vehicles consume energy. Instead of charging at maximum speed all the time, the rate can be adjusted based on various factors like cost savings, sustainability, or sharing energy among multiple vehicles or appliances.” – Jelle van Doornik, Product Manager at EVBox.

In essence, smart charging ensures that you’re making the best use of the available energy at your location, helping you fully utilize your DC fast charging infrastructure without compromising safety or stability.

Balancing the Load

One of the primary challenges smart charging addresses is balancing the power demands across individual charging stations and between your charging infrastructure and the rest of your site. DC fast charging, especially, is highly energy-intensive and can put significant stress on your connection to the grid if not handled correctly.

Load balancing intelligently distributes power between your DC fast charging stations, the grid, and your building’s electrical system. There are two main approaches: cluster load balancing and dynamic load balancing.

Cluster Load Balancing

Cluster load balancing focuses on distributing power among multiple charging stations. Let me walk you through a simplified example:

Imagine you have a total power capacity of 300 kW for fast charging at your location, with three DC charging stations, each capable of delivering up to 150 kW. If two stations are active, they can each draw up to 150 kW, totaling 300 kW.

But what happens when the third station starts charging? You’d need 450 kW, but your capacity is only 300 kW. Without cluster load balancing, the third station wouldn’t function.

With cluster load balancing, the system automatically reduces the output of the first two stations to ensure all three stations receive equitable access to the available power—each getting 100 kW (100 + 100 + 100 = 300).

Dynamic Load Balancing

Dynamic load balancing monitors energy usage throughout your building and reallocates available capacity to different devices automatically. Using the same example, let’s add heavy machinery requiring 100 kW to the mix.

Now, imagine activating the machinery while all charging stations are drawing power. Without dynamic load balancing, the circuit would trip due to insufficient capacity.

However, with dynamic load balancing, the charging process slows down temporarily to free up enough power for the machinery. This ensures your entire system operates smoothly without overloading.

Load balancing is essential for maintaining a stable power connection and maximizing the utility of your building’s electrical infrastructure. It’s not just limited to commercial settings; even residential users benefit from this technology.

Simultaneous Charging

Simultaneous charging is a smart charging feature allowing multiple vehicles to charge at once from a single station. The available power output of the station is divided among the connected vehicles based on their requirements.

For instance, consider a DC charging station with a maximum power output of 150 kW. If one vehicle is plugged in, it can access the full power output (up to 100 kW). When a second identical vehicle connects, the remaining power drops to 50 kW.

With simultaneous charging, the station splits the available power evenly between the two vehicles, providing each with 75 kW. Furthermore, if one vehicle requires only 50 kW and the other can handle 100 kW, the station will allocate the power accordingly—100 kW to one vehicle and 50 kW to the other—ensuring efficient use of resources.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

V2G technology enables bidirectional charging between an EV and the grid, allowing an EV’s battery to act as both a consumer and supplier of energy. Based on signals such as local energy production or consumption levels, the battery can charge or discharge accordingly.

Although still in its early stages, V2G holds immense promise for businesses operating large fleets or managing extensive charging networks. By leveraging hundreds of EV batteries as external storage units, companies can ensure uninterrupted power supply during outages and store renewable energy generated onsite (e.g., via solar panels).

The Business Case for Smart Charging

Smart charging maximizes the return on investment for your DC fast charging infrastructure. Load balancing ensures that your charging stations operate at peak efficiency without overburdening your power supply, while simultaneous charging allows you to accommodate more vehicles simultaneously.

Smart Charging for Progressive Businesses

Not all DC charging stations are created equal, and the ideal solution depends on your specific needs and circumstances. We offer a diverse range of charging stations designed to harness the full potential of smart charging for businesses of every size. For detailed technical specifications, use cases, and further insights, check out our DC charging solutions tailored for enterprises transitioning to electric mobility.