Leveraging on-site battery storage for enhanced electric vehicle charging and grid resilience

As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to accelerate, stakeholders such as commercial fleet operators, charger installers, multifamily building owners and others involved in the EV ecosystem are seeking innovative solutions to optimize charging infrastructure. One such solution is the integration of onsite batteries or electrical storage systems. These systems can serve as an energy buffer during charging and enhance grid resiliency. This article explores the benefits, implementation strategies, key considerations and technological innovations for integrating onsite battery storage with EV charging infrastructure.

Benefits of on-site battery storage

1. Energy buffer for EV charging:

• Peak shaving: Onsite batteries can store energy during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower and discharge it during peak times, reducing demand charges and overall energy costs.
• Load management: Batteries help manage the load on the electrical grid by smoothing out the spikes in electricity usage associated with EV charging, particularly for commercial fleets or multi-family buildings with multiple charging points.

2. Grid resiliency:

• Backup power: In the event of a power outage, onsite batteries can provide backup power to critical infrastructure, including EV chargers, ensuring continued operation and enhancing the resilience of the site.
• Grid support: By storing excess energy and discharging it during high-demand periods, onsite batteries help stabilize the grid and prevent blackouts.

Implementation strategies for stakeholders

1. Commercial fleet operators:

• Energy cost reduction: Implementing onsite batteries can significantly reduce the operational costs of charging large fleets by mitigating peak demand charges.
• Operational continuity: Batteries ensure that fleet operations remain unaffected during grid outages, providing a reliable source of power for critical functions.

2. Charger installers:

• Comprehensive solutions: Offering integrated battery storage with EV charging installations can attract clients seeking holistic solutions to manage energy costs and enhance resilience.
• Customizable systems: Design battery storage solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs and constraints of different clients, such as commercial sites and multi-family buildings.

3. Multifamily building owners:

• Tenant attraction: Installing onsite batteries and EV chargers can increase property value and attract environmentally conscious tenants, offering a competitive edge in the real estate market.
• Energy management: Batteries enable effective energy management, distributing energy costs fairly among tenants and reducing overall energy expenses through peak shaving.

4. Other EV adoption stakeholders:

• Policy advocacy: Encourage policies and incentives that support the integration of battery storage with EV charging infrastructure, such as subsidies, tax credits or favorable regulations.
• Education and training: Provide training and resources to stakeholders about the benefits, installation processes and operational management of battery storage systems.

Key considerations for integration

1. Equipment and software selection:

• Compatibility: Choose battery storage systems and energy management software that are compatible with existing EV chargers and grid requirements.
• Scalability: Ensure that the selected systems can be scaled to meet future growth in EV adoption and increased energy demands.

2. Collaboration with SMUD:

• Grid requirements: Work closely with SMUD to understand grid interconnection requirement and potential incentives.
• Data sharing: Establish protocols for sharing energy usage and storage data with SMUD to enhance grid management and optimize the use of stored energy.

3. Financial considerations:

• Upfront costs: Assess the initial investment required for battery storage systems and explore available financial incentives, such as federal and state tax credits, rebates and grants.
• Return on investment: Calculate the potential cost savings and revenue generation from reduced energy costs, participation in grid services and enhanced property value to determine the return on investment.

Benefits of grid-tied battery storage systems

1. Emergency backup power:

Grid-tied battery storage systems provide critical backup power during outages, ensuring that essential appliances and systems remain operational. This feature is particularly valuable for homeowners and businesses in areas prone to power interruptions due to weather or grid instability.

2. Energy cost savings:

By storing excess energy generated during off-peak hours and using it during peak demand times, grid-tied battery systems help reduce electricity costs. This process, known as peak shaving, can significantly lower energy bills by avoiding higher charges during peak periods.

3. Enhanced self-consumption:

These systems optimize the use of on-site generated renewable energy (such as solar power), increasing the proportion of self-consumed energy. This reduces reliance on the grid and maximizes the return on investment for renewable energy installations.

4. Environmental benefits:

Grid-tied battery storage systems support the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid, reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional power generation. By enhancing the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems, they contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Applications and use cases

1. Residential use:

Homeowners can benefit from increased energy independence and reliability. Grid-tied battery systems ensure that essential home functions remain powered during outages and help manage energy costs by leveraging stored energy during high-rate periods.

2. Commercial and industrial use:

Businesses can use these systems to avoid costly downtime during power outages, manage energy costs more effectively and demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Battery storage systems can be particularly valuable for industries with critical operations that require uninterrupted power supply.

3. Agricultural applications:

Farmers can utilize battery storage to maintain operations during grid disruptions, protect sensitive equipment and manage energy usage more efficiently. This is especially important for operations that rely on consistent energy supply for irrigation, refrigeration and other vital processes.

Technological innovations

1. Advanced monitoring and control:

Modern grid-tied battery storage systems feature sophisticated monitoring and control technologies that optimize performance, enhance safety and extend battery life. These systems provide real-time data and analytics, allowing users to monitor energy production, storage levels and consumption patterns.

2. Integration with renewable energy systems:

These systems are designed to seamlessly integrate with various renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. This integration ensures that renewable energy is stored efficiently and utilized when needed, maximizing the benefits of both the renewable sources and the storage system.

3. Scalability:

Grid-tied battery storage solutions are scalable, allowing users to expand their systems as their energy needs grow. This flexibility makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, from small residential setups to large commercial and industrial installations.

Integrating onsite battery storage with EV charging infrastructure presents a strategic opportunity for commercial fleet operators, charger installers, multifamily building owners and other stakeholders. By serving as an energy buffer, enhancing grid resiliency, and participating in grid services, onsite batteries offer substantial economic and operational benefits. As the EV market continues to grow, embracing this technology will be crucial in supporting a sustainable and resilient energy future.