The AlectraDrive @Home pilot project is designed to gain a better understanding of the influence that EV charging has on the grid by managing the delivery of EV charging to residents in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.
Enrolled single-family homes allow the utility to reduce power to their EV charging during peak demand events (typically between 5-9 pm on weekdays). For multifamily buildings enrolled in the pilot, EV charging stations are programmed to avoid charging above a maximum power threshold during peak periods of the day. This threshold control has the potential to save building owners significant amounts on their electricity bills through the reduction in utility demand charges, while maintaining electrical capacity for other uses.
The program schedule enables Alectra to run peak demand charging events for all participants and enables threshold control for multifamily buildings. These managed charging events are active every other week during the pilot and will enable Alectra to compare data from 'active' managed charging weeks with those absent of any control measures.
"Understanding our multifamily and single-family customers' charging behaviour is a critical step in Alectra's plans to ensure a reliable and cost-effective grid as more individuals purchase EVs," said Neetika Sathe, vice president, Alectra GRE&T Centre. "Beyond collecting valuable charging data, Concerto helps us automate EV charging, reducing friction for participating customers. Smart charging tools, like the one provided by Generac Grid Services through the Concerto platform, will become an increasingly important part of utilities' strategy for managing the grid as EV adoption continues to increase."
The AlectraDrive @Home program builds upon the relationship between Alectra Utilities and Generac Grid Services. With Generac Grid Services, Alectra delivered its AlectraDrive @Work pilot program to provide smart EV charging to office buildings. Combining the insights from the AlectraDrive @Work and @Home programs will help the utility develop a holistic plan to support the growing number of EVs expected to connect to its grid.
AlectraDrive @Home is funded by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) Grid Innovation Fund and by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through the electric vehicle infrastructure demonstration component of its energy innovation program.
