Introductory Guide:

Power Management for EV Chargers

As electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerates, effective EV Charger Power Management has emerged as a critical component for deploying EV chargers at scale. While it may have been a secondary concern in the past, today, power management is essential for ensuring the success, reliability, and efficiency of EV charging infrastructure. This guide explores the complexities of power management, highlighting its importance and providing key considerations for those looking to install multiple chargers.


The Importance of Power Management

Power management is not merely a technical requirement; it directly impacts operational efficiency and user experience. As high EV loads can trigger significant demand on electrical systems, managing that load becomes crucial, particularly in locations with limited power capacity. The challenge lies in the fact that many power management solutions are still relatively new and lack extensive real-world validation, making it imperative to prioritize this aspect from the outset of any deployment.

If you’re planning to install more than a few chargers, power management should be taken as seriously as other core considerations such as revenue collection and user access. A well-implemented power management system can prevent overloading circuits, reduce downtime, and optimize energy costs. When power management is an afterthought, site designs end up being over scoped and future expansion can be hamstrung.


Choosing the Right Vendor

Given the wide variability in power management capabilities among vendors, selecting the right partner is critical. While many hardware and software providers claim to support power management, the depth and sophistication of their solutions can differ significantly. As such, a thorough evaluation process is necessary to ensure that your chosen system aligns with your operational needs.


Key Questions to Evaluate Power Management Systems

When assessing power management solutions, consider the following questions:

    1. Comprehensive Management Capabilities:
      • Does the system manage only EV chargers, or can it also control other power management groups, such as lighting or HVAC systems? A holistic approach can lead to greater efficiency.
    2. Handling Unmanaged Loads:
      • Can the system accommodate unmanaged loads, such as non-charging devices? This flexibility is essential for optimizing overall energy consumption.
    3. Response Time to Events:
      • How quickly does the system react to plug-in and plug-out events? Rapid response is crucial for optimizing power distribution among multiple chargers.
    4. User Experience During Power Limitations:
      • What is the driver’s experience when the system is operating under power limitations? Does the billing rate change, and does charging commence immediately upon plugging in? User satisfaction can hinge on these factors.
    5. Power Reallocation Post-Charging:
      • Once a vehicle finishes charging, how quickly is the power reallocated to other vehicles? Efficient power reallocation minimizes downtime and enhances throughput.
    6. Connectivity Requirements:
      • Does the solution require a constant internet connection? Understanding the connectivity needs will help you assess the feasibility of the system in different environments.
    7. Vendor Switchability:
      • If the power management solution fails, how difficult will it be to switch vendors? A seamless transition is vital for maintaining operational continuity.
    8. Handling Offline Chargers:
      • How does the system manage chargers that go offline or are powered down? Ensuring reliable operation under all circumstances is crucial for maintaining service availability.
    9. Software and Firmware Updates:
      • How does the system manage software and firmware updates? An efficient update process is essential for keeping the system secure and operational.


Moving Beyond Basic Compliance

The landscape of EV charging infrastructure is evolving rapidly, and a simplistic view that merely checks off power management as a requirement is no longer sufficient. A nuanced understanding of power management is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of your EV charging deployment.

By asking the right questions and critically assessing the capabilities of power management solutions, you can make informed decisions that support the long-term success of your charging infrastructure. Ultimately, the goal is to create a robust system that not only meets current needs but is also adaptable to future advancements in EV technology and energy management practices.

As the demand for EV charging continues to grow, effective power management will play an increasingly pivotal role in the success of charging networks. By prioritizing this aspect and conducting thorough evaluations of available solutions, stakeholders can ensure a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient charging experience for all users.


FractalEVs Approach

FractalEV provides a firmware based power management solution out of the box. This solution is a perfect fit for those looking to over subscribe their circuits, increasing the number of chargers on site, without adding a complex software solution. As power management needs expand, a customer can then always implement a software based power management approach on top of the Fractal chargers. In this way the solution is designed to help organizations start their electrification journey without having to project exactly where they will be in a couple years.

Additionally, FractalEV also offers an emulation mode which can be used to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of the power management scheme. This emulation mode can be used to validate that a CSMS is set up correctly and is operational.

Commercial L2 Charging You Can Count On

FractalEV manufactures affordable 48A and 80A EV chargers with smart features built-in. The best 48A EV charger will depend on your use case, but we’re convinced ours is ideal for multi-family residences. Meanwhile our 80 amp EV charger is well-suited to fleet and commercial applications.

☑ OCPP Network agnostic
☑ Get critical data at no cost
☑ Fee-free cloud solution
☑ Local power management
☑ Onboard mesh networking
☑ Compatible with EV charger RFID