NREL Researchers Survey the State of Smart Charge Management Nationwide
Introduction
The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years, driven by declining costs, increasing government incentives, and growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly transportation options. As the number of EVs on the road rises, so too does the need for efficient and innovative charging infrastructure. To provide insights into the current landscape of smart charge management (SCM) in the United States, researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) embarked on a nationwide survey aimed at understanding the state of SCM.
The NREL research team conducted a comprehensive survey spanning 50 states, incorporating data from both public charging stations and residential charging installments. The survey incorporated a range of metrics to assess the prevalence, capacities, and functionality of SMS systems across the country, including:
* Public charge station density (stations/100 km)
* State-level charging station capacity (# of stations and total Watt-hours)
* Residential station capacity (# of stations per 1,000 electrified homes)
* Percentage of public charging stations without SMS capabilities
* Industry-specific SMS providers and applications
The results of the survey revealed the following essential findings:
* Public chargers with SMS capabilities had increased by 50%, with 72% situated in urban areas.
+ California and New Jersey led the way, contributing 23% and 12% respectively, highlighting the importance of SMS infrastructures in dense, well-populated areas.
+ Rural regions, primarily in the Midwest and Rust Belt, saw limited advances in SMS installations.
+ 63% percent of public chargers have SMS capabilities in the country, with urban areas generally having more robust infrastructure investments.
* Residential charging accounts for 87% overall, with California and Alaska having the highest percentages
The ongoing growth of the EV-fleet necessitates continued strategic investments in intelligent charging practices. The results of our survey underscore the need:
* To promote and adopt SMS technologies to ensure sustainable and efficient energy consumption with the increasing growth of both public and residential charging spaces.
* Emphasization of SMS system installations alongside public charging station growth through targeted initiatives to bridge identified gaps in regional coverage.
Q. What is the primary research goal of this study on smart charge management?
A. The objectives of this survey are comprehensive, focusing on the monitoring of smart charge management solutions across the US, primarily in public charging stations alongside residential charging, and pinpointing areas requiring more concentration.
Q. Which categories did the NREL include in their data collection criteria?
A.: The NREL team selected a range of metrics aimed at assessing public charging (stations/100 km + state-level capacity + residents per 1,00 electrified homes) (percentage of public chargingstations without SMS capability + manufacturers and applications), encompass, residential charging installation (overall capacity + states per and electrified houses) Percentage of public chargers on SMS capabilities + state public chargers’ capacity state-level charging and total capacities.
Q. Which countries have the most extensive percentages of public chargers with or without SMS functionalities?
A. Public chargers with SMS capabilities increased among the 50 states we surveyed, showing a major growth of 50%
Certain figures, such as 40% of all public connectors, are still lacking efficient SMS capabilities; 45% of stations have capacities of 6-45 kW, which may imply a need for better quality and more consistent power.
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