Brian Grunkemeyer, Founder &CEO The world seems to be converging at electric vehicles (EVs), which is seen as the panacea to global greenhouse gas emissions. On the flip side, the sudden spike in the number of EVs has put a huge burden on grid systems. To alleviate the challenges and maintain a continuous energy flow, governments are getting to grips with the new and emerging concept termed managed charging, which promises to tackle the electric infrastructure inadequacies. With EV chargers on their way to outnumber gas stations in developed countries, managed charging allows harnessing of the chargers for the benefit of the grid and consumers. That said, technology gaps in the current EV ecosystem hamper the effectiveness of managed charging. Redmond, WA-based FlexCharging has come up with an antidote to the EV predicaments. FlexCharging’s intelligent charging application seamlessly manages EV charging needs, including load shifting and smart charging capabilities to lessen the pressure on grids. FlexCharging provides electric utilities and car owners with tools to shift EV charging to off-peak hours while catering to drivers’ needs.
FlexCharging’s app helps electric car owners save money and reduce carbon emissions by charging at the right times of day. The right time is identified by analyzing the charging data and deducing patterns from the time of charge perspective. The app strikes the right chord with both drivers and utilities through its preparedness in the face of a sudden disaster. For instance, if a utility reports a power shortage, FlexCharging can shift charging to the best time available while still ensuring there’s enough energy in the car’s battery to accomplish daily tasks.
“Our app aggregates data from EVs located in offices and residences and manages charging schedules for time-of-use rates, peak demand, and ramp rates,” says Brian Grunkemeyer, CEO of FlexCharging.
FlexCharging proves valuable in saving cost for drivers. If a utility charges based on time-of-use rates, the firm handles the complexity for the driver to save drivers money. On the other hand, it also helps the utilities better integrate renewable energy, conduct energy price arbitrage, and reduce their carbon emissions while engaging with drivers in an intuitive way.
Companies approaching smart charging from a hardware perspective often find several roadblocks along the journey. As some EVs can plug into a NEMA 14-50 adapter for charging with their mobile charging connectors, utilities resort to installing often-redundant networked EV chargers at owners’ homes, which is capital inefficient. FlexCharging’s app moves away from this traditional approach by connecting to a car’s APIs created by the automakers for their mobile apps. The app uses API’s as the control pathway to the car which is protected by the automaker’s security architecture. It can also get dynamic signals from utilities and carbon emissions forecast from utilities or a trusted third party like WattTime.
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Our app aggregates data from EVs located in offices and residences and manages charging schedules for time-of-use rates, peak demand, and ramp rates
In a case study, one electric utility provider near San Francisco faced an unforeseen challenge when they evaluated EV charging in their service territory. Without the means to measure EV charging, it decided to engage FlexCharging to address the situation. FlexCharging assessed the client’s infrastructure and found a surprising amount of Level 1 charging in their service territory. It enabled the client to shift the load as much as possible to meet the utility goals. The firm provided more critical insights into program design and helped the client develop the same. In the coming days, the client is expected to roll out a program to all their drivers, which will help meeting residential and workplace charging needs without installing custom hardware in the car or replacing a charger.
Marching ahead, FlexCharging is looking forward to enabling carbon-optimized charging in 2021, extending its value from just saving money to saving the environment as well. “We are also collecting data in Australia right now as part of a pilot project with a utility funded by Australian Renewable Energy Agency and we plan to branch out to Canada and Europe,” ends Grunkemeyer.
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Software Helps Electric Co-Ops Maintain Robust Grid Stability by Encouraging Off-Peak Charging Times and Incentivizing EV Drivers with Rebate Programs that Promote Clean Energy
SEATTLE -- FlexCharging , a provider of Electric Vehicle (EV) managed charging, announced the release of its EV grid integration and demand response software solution, EVision. The cloud-based application enables electric utility cooperatives (co-ops) and municipal utilities to launch their own managed charging programs.
Tim Ellis, Energy Resources Director at Poudre Valley REA, a member-owned electric co-op based in Fort Collins, Colorado, says "At PVREA, we need a managed EV charging program to meet the needs of both our electric grid and the increasing number of EV owners in our area. A viable, cost-effective, and user-friendly telematics solution supporting the most available EVs allows us to maximize the positive impact managed EVs can have on our grid. We're excited to partner with FlexCharging on a new pilot program, DrivEV, that we hope can result in a safer, more reliable, and more affordable supply of power for all our members."
"We are on a mission to democratize access to smart charging by making our charging technology available to and affordable for smaller regional co-ops," said Brian Grunkemeyer, CEO and Founder of FlexCharging. "EVision's smart charging benefits are threefold: It reduces costs for EV owners, decreases energy loads on utilities, and lowers carbon emissions for the world."
Our EVision-powered managed charging and incentive programs offer support for a wide range of electric vehicle brands, surpassing any other provider in this aspect. The process for drivers is simple: they can effortlessly connect their vehicles using their existing car app login and password. Once enrolled, the software automatically verifies their enrollment status. Subsequently, when the EV owners plug in their vehicles as usual, EVision, in collaboration with their local utility, takes remote control of the charging process. This enables charging to occur during off-peak hours (typically late at night) to avoid costly electricity rates and reduce demand during peak usage periods. EVision diligently monitors the charging process and ensures that EV owners receive the incentives they rightly deserve.
Rural Demand for Managed Charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) are experiencing widespread adoption at a rapid pace across various regions. In the United States, there are 900 cooperatives serving a significant portion (56%) of the country's landmass, supplying power to over 40 million homes and businesses. In these areas, the increasing interest in EV ownership, along with the availability of funding for charging infrastructure and regulatory requirements, is driving the demand for EVs. These factors are compelling entire states to transition to electric vehicles.
According to a survey conducted by Consumer Affairs in 2022, there is substantial evidence supporting the growth of EV adoption. The survey reveals that the percentage of rural drivers who are open to the idea of purchasing or leasing an EV has nearly tripled in the past two years, reaching 29%. Consequently, an increasing number of co-ops are actively pursuing EV smart charging programs that offer incentives to EV owners who enroll and utilize these programs.
EVision ensures a seamless connection between drivers and their trusted utility by utilizing the unique branding of each individual co-op. The software plays a crucial role in reducing emissions associated with EV charging, lowering the charging costs for EV owners, and minimizing charging activities during peak hours.
Availability
EVision is currently accessible to utilities of various sizes in the United States, Canada, Australia, and select regions within the European Union. To obtain further information, interested parties can reach out to FlexCharging at info@flexcharging.com to request a demonstration or participate in the Take Charge program. This program allows co-ops to experience a test-drive of EVision today.