EV Charging Infrastructure for Owners Corporation
August 30, 2023
We will be discussing the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for Owners Corporations. We will delve into the significance of this development and highlight the various considerations and recommendations for implementing effective EV charging solutions.
Let’s begin by examining some compelling statistics. With over 16% of Australians residing in apartment buildings and an impressive 4% of new vehicles sold in Australia being EVs, the demand for EV charging infrastructure is poised to skyrocket. Recognising this need, the updated National Construction Code now incorporates minimum requirements for providing EV charging infrastructure within new developments.
To ensure the successful implementation of EV charging infrastructure, several key provisions must be considered. One such provision is the adoption of load management systems (LMS)
which are essential for limiting the overall electrical load to the available supply capacity. An LMS accomplishes this by diversifying the connected electrical load based on the battery/charge status of each EV. For instance, vehicles with low battery levels will receive priority charging, while those with higher ones will experience a slower charge.
Incorporating control systems that operate on open protocols, such as OCPP and ModBus, is highly recommended. These protocols facilitate seamless communication between various EV charging brands, enabling interoperability and compatibility.
Furthermore, adhering to fire safety regulations when implementing EV charging infrastructure is crucial. Please refer to the link for more detailed information on this topic.
One of the most significant challenges in implementing EV charging infrastructure within existing buildings lies in determining who bears the financial responsibility and gaining consensus among owners to enable charging. Additionally, accurately calculating the power capacity of the building in terms of supply and demand is crucial. Given Australia’s diverse range of buildings, varying from those accommodating eight residents to several hundred, considerations such as visitor parking availability and space constraints further complicate the decision-making process.
While each building presents unique circumstances, we have identified several key recommendations to expedite the implementation of EV charging infrastructure.
First, consider implementing a payment method allowing users to pay for the usage of the chargers, this accelerates the return on investment (ROI) of charging Infrastructure. This revenue generation can help cover the initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs associated with the charging infrastructure.
Secondly, installing an open-source and affordable LMS that calculates the building’s real-time total demand and controls the chargers can help prevent system overload. By leveraging such a system, you can ensure optimal charging efficiency while avoiding excessive strain on the electrical infrastructure.
Additionally, it is advisable to install the chargers in a shareable area, such as the visitor car park. This approach significantly reduces costs, as it eliminates the need for each resident to install their own charging stations. Moreover, this strategy helps prevent system overload by distributing the charging load across a shared infrastructure.
We offer an Owners Corporation charging a subscription to facilitate the implementation process, eliminating the upfront equipment and installation costs. For a flexible plan starting from $79 per week per charger , this subscription includes ongoing maintenance, unit replacements, and access to a reliable backbone solution that supports payment options.
In conclusion, this wraps up our blog post. We hope you found the information provided insightful and practical. Stay tuned for our next post, where we will discuss our home charging subscription, enabling homeowners to access EV chargers, installation services, maintenance, and replacing outdated chargers after three years. Our commitment is to ensure that every home, regardless of location, can access reliable and efficient EV charging infrastructure.
We hope you found the information provided insightful and practical. If your building is in the process to installing EV charging infrastructure, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@beyondev.com.au.
Electrification all the way!⚡
