Powering your EV future: A Q&A with Equans EV experts
Are you uncertain about investing in electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure due to concerns over power availability? Are you facing challenges you are not sure how to resolve?
To answer your questions, we’ve spoken to Equans EV Solutions Head of Bids and Estimating, Neil Fotheringham and Luke Slatter, Electrical Engineer, to discuss the potential solutions to power and grid capacity challenges.
Q: If an organisation is planning to transition to EVs, but is concerned about whether their site has enough power to support EV charging, what should they do?
A: It’s a common concern for organisations when considering EV adoption. Some organisations assume that they don’t have the necessary on-site capacity, or the budget for a new grid connection and so rule EV out completely. The good news is, with some smart planning and the right solutions in place, most sites can absolutely accommodate EV charging without the need for heavy-duty infrastructure overhauls. That’s where EV infrastructure partners like Equans EV Solutions can help; we’ll assess your site’s current capacity and recommend the most suitable, cost-effective solutions tailored to your charging and power needs.
Q: What are the first steps in understanding the organisation’s EV charging needs before assessing site power availability?
A: The reason organisations often struggle to work out their power requirements is because they start to think about power before they fully understand their EV charging needs. We help organisations to figure out their EV charging needs first, by considering:
- Number and type of chargers: Calculating the number of chargers required and the appropriate charging speeds (slow, fast, or rapid) based on your fleet size and usage patterns. Different chargers have different power demands, so this step is crucial for accurate power assessment.
- Current and future EV fleet size: Knowing your current EV fleet size and anticipating future growth to ensure the charging infrastructure can accommodate your evolving needs.
- Expected usage and charging patterns: Your charging strategy has to fit your operational model. Whether it’s a ‘back-to-base’ approach where vehicles re-charge at a central hub, for example, overnight at your depot, or a flexible ‘on-the-go’ charging setup, we tailor our solutions to match. We will help you to assess your fleet’s usual travel distances, charging times, and peak use periods. We can then accurately predict your power demands and get ahead of any potential tight spots. We make sure your charging plan is shaped by how your fleet operate, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient integration into your existing operations.
Q: What factors should be considered when assessing on-site power availability for EV charging?
A: Once we have a clearer picture of an organisations’ charging needs, we can then assess the site’s power availability by looking at:
- Existing electrical setup: This includes assessing your transformers, distribution boards, cabling, and overall power supply capacity to understand your site’s capabilities and limitations.
- Available capacity throughout the day: Assessing power availability fluctuations throughout the day to identify potential limits during peak hours and so ensure sufficient power for EV charging without disrupting other operations.
- Future expansion plans: Considering any future plans for expanding your operations or EV fleet to ensure the chosen solutions are scalable and can adapt to your evolving needs.
Q: What solutions does Equans offer to address power availability concerns?
A: We design a fully tailored solution for the client, recommending the right power solution for their specific needs, goals and budget. Some of our capabilities include:
- Active load management: This intelligently adjusts power supplied to chargers based on your total energy use, ensuring efficient charging without exceeding capacity. This is particularly useful for sites with limited power availability.
- Smart-charging networks: By distributing your available power supply across multiple chargers, we can prevent overloads and maximise charging efficiency, making the most of your existing infrastructure.
- Power upgrades where needed: If your site requires additional power capacity, we can facilitate increases to existing transformers, upgrade distribution equipment or even manage the complex process of securing a new grid connection.
- Integrating renewable energy, such as solar: We can help you reduce reliance on the grid and your carbon footprint by tapping into clean energy sources, such as installing solar panels to generate power for your charging stations.
- Battery storage to capture excess energy: This involves installing battery systems to store excess energy, either from renewables or during off-peak times, to be used for powering chargers during high-demand periods, enhancing efficiency and cost savings.
Q: How can Equans help organisations to determine the best EV charging solution for them?
A: We begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of your current setup, evaluating your electrical infrastructure, overall power capacity and any existing limitations. We then work closely with you to understand your specific goals, such as the number of chargers needed, preferred charging speeds, future expansion plans for your EV fleet, and budget considerations.
With this, we design a tailored charging solution that optimises power usage, ensures reliable charging for your vehicles, and aligns with your budget and sustainability targets. We present you with various options and recommendations, explaining the benefits and drawbacks of each approach, allowing you to make informed decisions based on your specific situation.
Q: What are the considerations for recommending renewable energy generation for a particular site?
A: When assessing viability of renewable energy generation on site, we consider the space available at site and the client’s budget. Renewable energy generation can be a great solution when combined with battery storage. For a depot scenario, energy generated through solar during the day can be stored in batteries and used to recharge the vehicles overnight.
Not every site has the space or budget for renewable energy solutions. If this is the case for your organisation, we can explore alternative options like active load management or smart charging networks to maximise the efficiency of your existing power supply.
We also help you plan for the future. Renewable energy generation might not be in your plans right now, but as your organisation grows and resources allow, we can incorporate renewable energy and battery storage into your long-term roadmap, ensuring your charging infrastructure is adaptable and future-proofed.
Q: How does Equans ensure the reliability and maintenance of EV-charging infrastructure long term?
A: We’re committed to providing reliable charging infrastructure that is built to last. Here’s how we ensure that:
- High-quality hardware: We only use the best hardware in market from trusted manufacturers, ensuring durability and performance.
- Hardware-agnostic approach: Our chargepoint management platform, GeniePoint is completely hardware agnostic, which allows us to select the most appropriate charging hardware for your needs.
- Comprehensive maintenance and support: We provide continuous monitoring and full maintenance services to make sure your service operates flawlessly, around the clock. We combine:
- Preventative maintenance: Think of it as your vehicle’s MOT – an annual check-up to prevent issues before they happen.
- Reactive maintenance: If anything unexpected happens, we’ve accredited engineers ready to give you quick on-site support to sort it out.
This blended strategy means your EV infrastructure will remain reliable and efficient, minimising downtime and maximising performance.
- Dedicated support: We’re here to resolve any challenges that may arise quickly and effectively, minimising downtime and ensuring the continuous operation of your charging infrastructure.
Ready to power your EV transition?
If your organisation is considering adopting EVs but has concerns about power availability or grid connections, we’re here to help. Don’t let those worries hold you back from making the sustainable switch. Contact the Equans EV Solutions team today so we can discuss your specific situation in more detail and start mapping out the ideal charging strategy to empower your EV transition.
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