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Tuesday October 15 2024

The challenges of recharging electric vehicles in co-ownerships

With the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road, the issue of charging in multi-residential buildings, and more particularly in co-ownerships, is becoming ever more pressing. Co-owners are often faced with a number of challenges when it comes to installing charging points. These challenges include installation costs, energy management and safety.

In this article, we will explore three technologies available to facilitate electric vehicle charging in condo buildings: RVE’s DCC Box system, intelligent systems such as EVduty or Wallbox, and load-shedding systems such as Eaton’s Evolute or RVE’s SMP panel.

 

1. Individual system or small-scale deployment

Two solutions stand out in this infrastructure category: RVE’s DCC Box and Eaton’s Green Motion EV. RVE’s DCC Box is perfect for simple residential installations, while Eaton’s Green Motion EV offers advanced technologies for more complex deployments.

RVE’s DCC Box

RVE’s DCC Box is a distribution box designed for multi-unit residential buildings. Although it prepares homes for electric vehicle charging, this solution can be expensive, especially for buildings with more than 24 units. Indeed, the cost of a joint project can be two to three times higher, mainly due to the need to double the amount of copper for the installation. In addition, the complexity of intercepting the main supply cables to a dwelling in large buildings, especially where there are several electrical rooms on different floors, adds further difficulty and cost.

Although the DCC Box can allow immediate connection of the main power supply to the unit, there is the possibility of overloading the common network. A building capacity study is required to ensure that the building’s capacity is available.

If the building allows it, the deployment of this technology can be advantageous for small car parks with proximity access to the units’ meters.

Green Motion EV from EATON

Green Motion EV uses advanced technologies to optimise energy management and load distribution. Intelligent systems make it possible to maximise energy efficiency while minimising costs. The charging stations are equipped with cutting-edge features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and remote management, enabling users to monitor and control their energy consumption in real time.

However, the charging point has to be installed downstream of the unit’s private meter, which can add a degree of complexity to deployment in large buildings. In order to use this technology, it must be connected to a Wi-Fi network.

With a residual load study of the building, it would be possible to deploy a common infrastructure on a small scale. This deployment would be equipped with a new Hydro-Québec meter, which would make it possible to isolate the billing of electric vehicle charging. You would be able to bill at an hourly rate the consumption linked to this meter, all managed by the charge management software linked to the system. Note that there are five-yearly charges for billing services.

 

2. Intelligent systems : EVduty and Wallbox

Intelligent charging stations, such as EVduty and Wallbox, offer advanced solutions for charging electric vehicles in co-ownerships. What sets these systems apart is their ability to efficiently manage energy distribution and adapt to the specific needs of each user.

EVduty

EVduty is an intelligent charging point designed to offer maximum flexibility.

Here are just a few of its advantages:

  • Energy management: EVduty can adjust the charging power according to the building’s energy demand, avoiding overloads.
  • Connectivity: Using a mobile app, users can monitor and control their vehicle’s charging remotely.
  • Simplified installation: EVduty is designed to be easily installed in various types of building, including condo buildings.

Wallbox

Wallbox is another popular option for smart charging of electric vehicles.

Its features include:

  • Optimised recharging: Wallbox uses advanced algorithms to optimise recharging according to electricity tariffs and the building’s energy needs.
  • Security: Wallbox charging stations are equipped with multiple security features to protect both the vehicle and the building’s electrical network.
  • Customisation: users can customise charging parameters via a user-friendly interface, accessible from a smartphone or table.

This technology is deployed via a shared infrastructure with a dedicated Hydro-Québec meter. This makes it possible to share the costs of the basic infrastructure and minimise the quantity of cables used in the project.

Both options offer the possibility of billing users connected to a common infrastructure at a rate set by the hour. It should also be borne in mind that the deployment of this infrastructure must include an internet network to enable communication between the hotspots. In the absence of an internet network, there is an infrastructure backup function where the charging points limit the charging capacity to a kWh predetermined by a residual load study of the building.

This is an attractive option for large-scale deployment, but all users must use the same charging point. Intelligent charging points are often more expensive.

 

  1. Load shedding systems: Evolute from Eaton and SMP panel from RVE

Load shedding systems are essential for managing energy demand in co-ownerships, especially when several electric vehicles are charging simultaneously. This makes it possible to optimise the building’s residual load without compromising the integrity of the building’s electrical network. This technology allows us to deploy on a very large scale. As with the deployment of smart charging stations, a common infrastructure with a Hydro Québec meter needs to be installed. RVE’s SMP panel and Eaton’s Evolute system are two popular solutions.

RVE SMP panel

RVE’s SMP panel is designed to optimize energy distribution in multi-residential buildings.

Here are just a few of its advantages:

  • Load management: The SMP panel distributes the electrical load evenly between the various charging points.
  • Modular installation: The system can be easily integrated into existing infrastructures, simplifying the installation process.
  • Real-time monitoring: Users can monitor energy consumption and adjust charging.

Evolute from Eaton

Eaton’s Evolute system stands out for its ability to offer advanced energy management and increased flexibility.

Here’s why Evolute could be your preferred choice:

  • Dynamic load shedding: Evolute automatically adjusts charging power according to energy availability, avoiding overloads and optimising electricity use.
  • Extensive compatibility: The system is compatible with a wide range of charging stations and can be integrated into various types of building.
  • Intuitive user interface: Evolute offers a user-friendly interface that enables users to monitor and control the charging of their vehicles simply and effectively.
  • Enhanced security: With advanced security features, Evolute protects both the building’s electrical network and the vehicles being charged.

 

Both systems offer billing by the hour and by the kWh. However, in order to be able to bill by kWh, you need to be registered as a supplier with Measurement Canada, a topic for a future blog post.

When it comes to billing, there is a difference between the two systems. For RVE’s SMP system, you have to do the billing yourself or opt for third-party management for collection. For EATON’s Evolute system, there is a billing service integrated into their ecosystem that allows collection to be self-managed or handled by Evolute.

 

In conclusion

In conclusion, there are a multitude of technologies for managing electric vehicle charging in multi-occupancy buildings, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. It’s essential to choose the solution that best suits the specific needs of your building.

We’re here to help you navigate these options and select the technology best suited to your situation, to contribute to more sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility.

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you take this vital step.

 

Sébastien St-Pierre
Director Technical Department

 

 

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