Evolving Technologies, E-Tech (Part 2)
Electric Power Demand, Part 2
How are evolving technologies impacting your electric system? You need to stay informed of the changes in the electric utility industry. While not exhaustive, we have compiled research on several technologies that are greatly impacting your electric system. This 3-part blog series is a snapshot of what Allgeier Martin can do to help you reduce risk and meet your users’ needs. A more thorough whitepaper is available upon request.
In Part 2, we discuss three evolving technologies affecting electric power demand. Those technologies are
Electric Vehicles (EV’s)
Electric Farm Machinery
Electric Semi-Trucks.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles, EVs, are now a reality. Along with this comes the requirements needed to recharge their batteries. EVs need batteries to store energy that is used to propel them. Currently, charging locations are limited but this is rapidly changing. Some households have begun to contain one (1) EV in their garage. Charging can be accomplished at home or out in public.
Currently, there are three (3) levels of electric chargers for the public.
Level 1 is the most basic. An EV owner can plug their vehicle directly into a 15 or 20 Amp 120-volt standard wall outlet. A full charge could take more than a day and have a demand of 1.9 kW.
A Level 2 charger utilizes a 40 amp or greater at 208 – 240-volt wall plug. Some Level 2 chargers can deliver up to 80 amps of charging current or 19.2 kW. Most homeowners settle for a 40-amp charger that delivers approximately 9.6 kW. Typically, an EV at this level can be fully charged overnight.
A Level 3 is a fast-charging DC charger. It utilizes a 400-volt to 900-volt system. The typical charging speed is three (3) to twenty (20) miles per minute of charge time. Busses and large trucks will require even larger amounts, over 500 kW, soon.
Public chargers for EVs are beginning to pop up nearly everywhere. They are being positioned for convenience to the EV owners. The type of chargers used can greatly affect energy use on your distribution system.
EV charging demands can vary greatly depending on how they are charged. Electric vehicle owners sit and wait for their vehicles to receive their charge out in public. They can pay for the charging services directly with their phone or it can be tied to a credit card. Many will be tied to their EV’s onboard computer.
Electric Farm Machinery
The farms of tomorrow are also turning to electricity to run mobile equipment. Currently, there are eleven (11) companies in the US and two (2) in Europe that are developing electric tractors. They are based on Lithium Iron Phosphate battery technology. They are being sized to operate at the 50 to 65 hp level. This equates to 11 kW peak demand and currently takes 8 to 10 hours to charge.
A charging truck that can charge two tractors at once was tested in California during the 2022 growing season. Since this equipment is used heavily during various farming seasons, fast chargers will be required to limit the downtime of the equipment. As seen with EVs, fast chargers can require substantial amounts of energy in a short time frame. It is safe to say that the energy demands of farm fast chargers will be greater than for standard EVs.
Electric Semi-Trucks
Semi-trailers “Big Rigs” have been transporting goods for years. Electric versions of these transportation devices have recently been released for use on the roads. Due to their size and demand for hauling large loads, their energy storage is also quite large. This equates to large batteries which in turn yield large amounts of energy to charge them. Electric trucks have a footprint that is approximately 4 times the size of a typical car.
Research has already begun on equipment to charge the electric semis. Some chargers have already reached the marketplace. Tesla has proposed a new Megacharger for their semi. Tesla Semis use a Megacharger rated at 1000 kW taking 30 minutes for a 70% charge.
What Can You Do?
These evolving technologies can change how power flows on your grid. Problem areas can develop where there were no problems before. Portions of your system can experience high currents, low voltage, or high voltage. Calculations and analyses should be performed to see how your electric system handles these changes before they are installed. With all these changes, new standards are being implemented and are continually being updated. Be aware that your policies may need to be adjusted to keep up with the changes allowed by these new standards or by changes from your customers. What works today may not work tomorrow. We stay informed and up-to-date to ensure your success.
New technologies are emerging every day. It can be quite a challenge to keep up with all of it. Continue to stay informed by contacting us. The full whitepaper is available if requested in the contact section.
Brent has been an Electrical Engineer with Allgeier, Martin and Associates, Inc. since 2006. He has performed design and planning services for a variety of rural electric cooperatives, municipalities and investor-owned utilities. He has been the Project Manager on a multitude of projects ranging from design drawings and specifications for new Distribution and Transmission Lines to Substations. He is often called upon for short & long-range planning studies, site inspections, coordination studies and arc flash studies. Brent has expanded into assisting clients with PV, EV charging and wind turbine load analysis.