Q&A Careful management of the Grid should help to popularise EVs Driving force Build2Perform speaker Luke Osborne, of the ECA, explains what can boost UK electric vehicle uptake A t this years Build2Perform, Luke Osborne will speak at the electric vehicles (EVs) session on 26 November, between 3.45pm and 4.30pm. The session will consider what is required to deliver high-quality EV charging infrastructure, including market demand and interactions with buildings, and the potential of smart charging solutions, such as vehicle-to-building and vehicle-to-grid (V2G). For details, visit www.build2perform.co.uk and read our feature on battery storage and microgrids at bit.ly/CJSept19ajax Will the Grid be able to handle the growing number of EVs? Despite conflicting reports, it is anticipated that, with careful management, the Grid will be able to accommodate the projected growth of EVs. All new charge points installed in the UK must have smart controls. These will enable load control to be employed via a local control or the distribution network operator (DNO). Average daily journeys are around 30 miles and, with some EV ranges reaching the 300-mile mark, most drivers will only need to charge every few days. What will have to be done to accommodate EVs on the Grid? The growth of EVs and the electrification of heating will require additional electricity generation. As our energy mix becomes more decarbonised, however, we will see a shift to renewable generation, which by its nature is intermittent. V2G connections will solve two problems at once additional storage during times of over-generation and additional capacity when there is increased demand. Static buildings connected to electrical energy storage systems (batteries) will also help balance the system. As prices fall, manufacturers are bringing more options to the market. Time-of-use tariffs (ToU) will help the consumer be more proactive or become a participant in the system, through financial rewards and penalties. Grid upgrades are likely in areas where multiple ultrafast charging points are needed for example, at motorway service stations. How will it affect building services engineers designs for buildings? They will need to incorporate EV charge points and, ideally, V2G (if the concept is proven) in their designs. Diversity will not be allowed for EV charge points, although load control will be permitted. This will enable the maximum amount of power to be delivered for the circuit design, regardless of the number of vehicles being charged, by smartly controlling which vehicle receives charge at a particular time, thereby remaining within the circuits limitations and preventing overload. Specific vehicles can be prioritised, if needed. Under proposed legislation, all new homes will have to have car charging points [outlined in a public consultation on changing Building Regulations in England]. It is feasible that three-phase electricity connections will be considered, allowing a balance across the phases for EV charging for heat pumps and to facilitate fast charging (7kW-22kW) or rapid charging (43kW). How do we ensure buildings have adequate infrastructure? The buildings load profile will need to be assessed to ensure there is capacity for EV charge points to be added. Limited capacity could be solved by limiting the charging output to vehicles, allowing them to remain within the supply limitations. If the maximum demand for the whole customer connection including EV charge point 13.8kVA per phase or, if the aggregate maximum AC output of EV charge points is 30% of the maximum import capacity, the EV charge point connection can be made and the DNO notified afterwards. If the EV charge points exceed this, then prior consultation with the DNO will be needed through an application to connect (see bit.ly/CJSep19EV). What happens to dead batteries? EV batteries can be repurposed as static batteries for buildings. There is also a healthy lithium-ion battery recycling market, with nearly all the materials recoverable and made available for reuse. South Korea and China are leading on this. What can encourage uptake of EVs? We are rapidly seeing the deployment of charge points and there is support, through OLEV, for the installation of EV charge points for domestic and commercial customers. Vehicle manufacturers are also beginning to offer a variety of cars, and demand is now outstripping supply, especially in the fleet sector. The message is clear: EVs are the future. The government has committed 37m towards wireless, solar and mass-charging infrastructure. And, from April 2021, the benefit in kind tax rate on company car EVs will drop to zero for the year. LUKE OSBORNE is energy and emerging technologies solutions adviser at the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) 20 September 2019 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Sep19 pp20-21 Q&A / Overheating.indd 20 23/08/2019 16:19