3.2 Managing energy demand and grid capacity

3.2 Managing energy demand and grid capacity

As EV numbers increase on Irish roads, how and when people charge will become critical for the effective management of the wider electricity system. Technological developments, such as smart, integrated electric-charging solutions, will help manage the impact and maximise the renewable energy used to supply this new load.

The path towards electric mobility may not only change the overall demand volume but also the shape of the hourly load curve of the power system. This will entail significant challenges for electricity generation and transmission as well as for distribution infrastructure44. However, there is potential for reducing the impact on peak load by coordinating the charging sessions to make the demand more flexible. ESB Networks is advancing options in this space. With the rollout of smart meters and smart home chargers, people will have access to at-home technology with the ability to receive pricing signals. These signals will guide EV owners to charge at times that are more favourable. Furthermore, this load - if charging takes place at times when renewable generation is high - would increase the level of renewable generation that can be accommodated on the electricity network. This would minimise or defer the required investments in infrastructure upgrades.

management systems, where plugged-in EVs can act as back-up batteries and feed energy back into the grid at certain times to help balance demand45. Another possibility is microgeneration, where homes and businesses generate renewable energy for their own consumption46. Microgeneration, where installed, can potentially allow EVs to be charged at home (or at a local level), off-grid. This would reduce demand on the national electricity network and facilitate EVs to be powered by 100% carbon-neutral, renewable energy.

Potentially, EV owners can financially benefit from smart and flexible charging options in two ways:

(1) At home, they can save money by charging

during off-peak hours. Night-time charging is approximately half the price of day-time charging.

(2) Where the EV charging point (at home or

in public) can respond to ESB Networks or EirGrid signals, there are financial incentives emerging to reward the user for this service.

Other initiatives also have the potential to offset increased EV energy demands. These include the possibility of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) energy-

44 European Commission - Effect of electromobility on the power system and the integration of RES

45 Guide To… Vehicle-to-Grid Charging — IrishEVs

Figure from page 32

46 Micro-generation Support Scheme | Press Release | SEAI