A recent study about EV charging from Stanford University says we're doing it wrong. Most of us without our own solar are charging at night, but if an increasing number of EV's charge then, that eventually becomes the new "on-peak" period. Of course, we're charging at night because we're at home and the rates are lower. Our local utility co-op does not have "off-peak" rates, instead, we have a "penalty", based on our maximum kWh usage between 4 and 8pm.
One third of our utility's power comes from renewables, therefore, we should be charging when there is more renewable energy available. That means charging during the day. The study reports we should encourage more charging at work. Those of us who don't commute have more options. I have stopped charging at midnight, and started charging when the sun is up. This creates a new problem: when to start charging during the day? Certainly not near 4pm. The maximum solar available starts at about 11am, but what if I want to drive then? Instead of using START TIME at midnight, I program the LEAVE TIME for 12Noon, and charge more often. Shorter charge sessions allow for charging to occur closer to prime solar time, and a 12 Noon departure time leaves some flexibility should I want to leave in the morning. I want to make this as automatic as possible, so I may tweak the time, possibly earlier, then forget it.
Also, our utility is surveying EV owners on our usage and since we all have updated (AMI) meters, they know exactly when we charge. This might create new Time Of Use tiers, which may or may not be at night. If they offer a lower tier at night, I'll switch back.
One third of our utility's power comes from renewables, therefore, we should be charging when there is more renewable energy available. That means charging during the day. The study reports we should encourage more charging at work. Those of us who don't commute have more options. I have stopped charging at midnight, and started charging when the sun is up. This creates a new problem: when to start charging during the day? Certainly not near 4pm. The maximum solar available starts at about 11am, but what if I want to drive then? Instead of using START TIME at midnight, I program the LEAVE TIME for 12Noon, and charge more often. Shorter charge sessions allow for charging to occur closer to prime solar time, and a 12 Noon departure time leaves some flexibility should I want to leave in the morning. I want to make this as automatic as possible, so I may tweak the time, possibly earlier, then forget it.
Also, our utility is surveying EV owners on our usage and since we all have updated (AMI) meters, they know exactly when we charge. This might create new Time Of Use tiers, which may or may not be at night. If they offer a lower tier at night, I'll switch back.