7 minute read
Meeting the Demand: EV Charging
Innovations and Insights from Energy Management Collaborative (EMC)
By Parker Allen
Photos courtesy of Energy Management Collaborative (EMC)
More than 26 million electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to be on the road by 2030. This rise in electric vehicles must be met by an increase in the supply of EV chargers. Retail centers, hotels, apartment complexes, and office buildings are beginning to realize the benefits of offering EV charging solutions to their patrons.
Many NALMCO member companies have had clients inquire about EV charging.
Energy Management Collaborative (EMC) is a lighting and technology company based in Minnesota that has been offering EV charging solutions since 2020.
LM&M looks at three projects in which EMC worked with the client to propose, install, and commission a solution. The lessons learned can be applied whenever a customer has interest in installing EV charging options.
Case Studies
EMC Headquarters
EMC moved to its new headquarters in 2018 and remodeled the building as a “living lab.” Due to the increasing demand and commitment by car manufacturers and the federal government for electric vehicles, EMC was its own first client, using the opportunity to expand its living lab to the parking lot, adding EV charging stations for use by employees and the local community.
They installed multiple charging stations from different manufacturers, with ChargePoint, FLO and Wallbox units in operation today.
The company also installed a dedicated sub panel to run the EV chargers so it could meter daily charges and monitor the power pulled from each unit. This involved running new cable to the panel and calculating the proper voltage drop needed to deliver correct amperage.
EMC used this opportunity to hone its design, installation and service expertise for current and future customer installations.
SpringHill Suites
With the number of hotel guests looking to travel with their electric vehicles on the rise, SpringHill Suites knew it was an amenity they needed to evaluate.
The hotel chain partnered with EMC to choose a new hotel build in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, for proof of concept.
Several key factors influenced this decision. First, being a new build helped minimize the cost of installing the EV charging stations and the critical infrastructure needed to support them. Installs to existing buildings can often be 4-5 times more expensive, especially if new electrical infrastructure is needed.
Secondly, the hotel was able to take advantage of the Driving PA Forward Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) program. The prescriptive incentive program offered a $3,500 rebate per installed port.
EMC helped SpringHill Suites evaluate and select dual-port ChargePoint CT4000 EV charging stations for the project. They advised the hotel to position the units as close to the electrical room as possible – every foot of additional wiring needed translates directly to increased cost.
EMC assisted the hotel’s local general contractor, ensuring the correct wiring, conduit, and circuit breakers were installed and that wireless capabilities were in place before installing and commissioning the charging stations in a single day.
More than 26 million electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to be on the road by 2030. This rise in electric vehicles must be met by an increase in the supply of EV chargers.
Hotel del Coronado
The iconic beach resort and historic landmark overlooking San Diego Bay offers guests the ultimate seaside escape. With California having one of the highest adoption rates for EVs, Hotel del Coronado recognized the need to expand their EV charging offering.
The resort initially installed non-networked and third-party owned/operated chargers. However, they quickly saw a need for monitoring and reporting capabilities that would provide better oversight of guest usage and billing, as well as future expansion options.
The solution was an upgrade to the property’s electrical infrastructure to accommodate up to 23 new networked Level 2 charging stations. They added 11 new charging stations immediately, with the option of up to 12 more as demand increased.
Working with a local labor crew, EMC coordinated installation of single-port wall mount charging systems, completing the assembly and wiring in a single day. The charging stations are located in the underground parking garage – all the conduit is surface mounted, eliminating the need for any trenching/ boring that can complicate the install and add significant cost, Plus, the Resort was able to find room in its property improvement budget for the low cost install.
Upon successful installation, EMC also performed the commissioning process, ensuring that the charging stations were connected to the network, registered and operating correctly.
Important Takeaways
Rebates and Incentives
The addition of EV charging solutions can be expensive, especially if new infrastructure is needed. Identifying and applying for rebates can be the difference between earning a job and the project getting shelved. EMC has a dedicated team to identify available incentive programs.
EV charger rebates typically fall into one of three categories –local utility-funded programs, state-run programs, and federal grants.
Complexity and lead time of the incentive application process will vary across states. Some programs may operate on a first come, first serve basis until funds are fully allocated. Others may require an RFP with an application window to submit the proposal.
Selecting a Manufacturer
There is an abundance of EV charging options on the market, ranging from standalone, nonnetworked chargers to vertically integrated chargers that can be managed across multiple sites. Certain manufacturers only make the hardware – the charger itself. Others make only the software used to set pricing, collect payments, and monitor the status of the charging stations.
Layering software from one manufacturer on top of hardware from another doesn’t always mesh well and can lead to connectivity and reliability issues.
There are manufacturers who produce both the hardware and software. These vertically integrated solutions are often the safest bet from a reliability standpoint. But, these charging solutions are typically pricier than standalone, non-networked chargers.
Another factor to consider is modularity. Some manufacturers, like ChargePoint, FLO, and Autel, make their products modular to allow for easier maintenance and to isolate damaged components so that the entire unit does not need replacing Other manufacturers make non-modular chargers - if anything malfunctions, the entire charging station must be replaced. The diminished flexibility of these products is typically reflected in their lower price point.
Educating Customers
The EV charging market has been slow to evolve, in part because many are still unfamiliar with electric vehicles.
Clients may know that they want to add EV charging to their locations, but typically not much beyond that. They don’t know about the range of available options, the differences in cost and maintenance, levels of control and monitoring, etc.
For this reason, EMC created an “Intro to EV” guide to help clients understand the solutions on offer and identify which will work best for their application. This includes the different charging options: Level 2 versus DC fast chargers, networked versus non-networked, etc. There can be a big difference in price, and a key component is understanding what the project drivers are. Is the client just looking to check a box, to be able to say their location offers EV charging? Or do they want something more, like real-time monitoring and control? How are they planning on managing the stations?
From there, EMC can start to tailor a solution to meet the client’s needs. Visit EMC’s website for more information.
Special thanks to Jacob Gonzalez, Kristi Everson, and Brian Baker of EMC for their input.
