As electric vehicles continue to become more popular, it's important that we have the necessary infrastructure in place to support them. One of the most important pieces of that infrastructure is the charging station, and in the case of condominiums, this often means installing charging stations in parkades. In this blog post, we'll explore the technology available for electric vehicle charging stations in condo parkades, including load shedding with an EV energy management device.
Electric vehicle charging stations come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but most can be broken down into two basic categories: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 charging stations use a standard 120-volt electrical outlet and can provide a range of about 4-5 miles of driving per hour of charging. Level 2 charging stations use a 240-volt electrical outlet and can provide a range of about 10-20 miles of driving per hour of charging. For most electric vehicle owners, a Level 2 charging station is the most practical option for regular charging.
When it comes to installing charging stations in a condo parkade, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you'll need to make sure that the parkade has sufficient electrical capacity to support the charging stations. This may require upgrading the electrical infrastructure of the building, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.
Once you have the necessary electrical capacity, you'll need to choose the right charging stations for your condo. There are a variety of charging station manufacturers to choose from, each with their own unique features and capabilities. Some of the most popular charging station manufacturers include ChargePoint, Tesla, and Blink.
One important consideration when choosing a charging station is whether or not it includes load shedding capabilities. Load shedding is the process of reducing the electrical load on a system in order to prevent a blackout or other electrical emergency. In the case of electric vehicle charging stations, load shedding can be used to prevent the parkade from exceeding its maximum electrical capacity.
To implement load shedding with an EV energy management device such as the DCC-9 (https://dccelectric.com/dcc-9), the charging station is tied to the tenant's feeder cable to their electrical panel. The energy management device monitors the electrical usage of the parkade and the charging station, and automatically reduces the charging rate of the stations if the parkade is approaching its maximum capacity. This helps prevent the parkade from overloading the electrical grid and ensures that all tenants have access to power.
Load shedding is particularly important in condo parkades because the electrical capacity of the building is often shared among multiple tenants. This means that if one tenant is charging their electric vehicle at a high rate, it can put a strain on the electrical system and potentially cause an outage. By using load shedding and an EV energy management device, condo owners and managers can ensure that all tenants have access to power while also promoting the adoption of electric vehicles.
In conclusion, installing electric vehicle charging stations in condo parkades requires careful consideration of a variety of factors, including electrical capacity, charging station manufacturer and load shedding capabilities. By choosing an expert electrical contractor like VIOCO, condo owners and managers can ensure that their charging stations are safe, reliable, and accessible to all tenants. And by using load shedding and an EV energy management device, they can help promote the adoption of electric vehicles while also ensuring that the electrical system remains stable and secure.