Managing the Electric Grid During the EV Transition
PrintBy Jennah Denney
Electric vehicles are more than just a trend; they’re a shift toward a new era of transportation and energy use.
Data indicates a steady increase in EV adoption, with EVs and hybrid vehicles surpassing 16% of total 2023 U.S. light-duty vehicle sales, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Additionally, as of March 2024, 17 states have exceeded 10% of the EV market share, highlighting the regional variations and potential hotspots for EV adoption.
As EVs continue to become more common, electric utilities will face new challenges and opportunities to continue providing reliable, affordable energy to consumers.
Theresa Phillips, Lassen Municipal Utility District public relations manager, says 1 of the biggest challenges is educating consumers.
“There is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding the abilities and limitations of EVs, especially how they perform in a cold climate like Lassen County,” Theresa says. “Battling EV myths is a challenge, so we work with reputable sources like The Center for Sustainable Energy to provide information and resources to help our customers make informed choices.”
1 of the main focuses of EV education is informing electric consumers about efficient charging practices to avoid strain on the electric grid.
Imagine traffic during rush hour—it’s crowded and slow. Our nation’s electric grid can become just as crowded when everyone charges their EVs at the same time. This major spike in energy use can lead to power outages or expensive updates to our system. However, as utilities prepare for increased electricity demand from EV use, they are tasked with solving these challenges and keeping the lights on for everyone.
Smart charging is like a traffic light for electricity—it helps manage the demand for power from EVs. Here’s how you can help if you own an EV.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
Charge your EV when electricity demand is low—such as late at night or early in the morning—to help prevent grid overload and save on your energy bills.
“If customers are using a home charging system, we encourage them not to plug in their vehicle as soon as they get home from work, say around 5 to 7 p.m.” Theresa says. “That’s when demand is highest for our system.
Use Delayed Charging
Modern EV chargers can wait to charge your car until there’s less demand for power. This helps keep the grid stable and ensures you have power when you need it.
Adopt Grid-Friendly Charging
Some EV chargers can adjust how fast they charge your vehicle based on how much power is available. This helps avoid grid congestion and the need for expensive upgrades.
Managing the EV transition on the electric grid brings many challenges, as well as many opportunities for growth and working together. Contact your utility for help in understanding how EVs and the grid affect each other.
It’s crucial for utilities to identify and track the EVs within local networks. Knowing how many EVs are charging on a system allows for better planning and helps ensure a more stable supply of electricity.
“As more and more folks adopt the technology, we’ll need to track the locations to avoid pressure on the system,” Theresa says. “For example, if several homes served by the same transformer all plug in at the same time, the transformer could overload, causing power interruptions.”
When EV charging patterns are predicted, utilities can maintain a more efficient and reliable power grid.
“If we know that the neighborhood has several EVs, we can upgrade transformers and other equipment to ensure that power keeps flowing smoothly to everyone,” she says.
Additionally, when utilities have local, detailed data, they can design EV programs that fit their communities’ specific needs, encourage responsible energy use, and offer additional cost savings to consumers.
If you’re considering an EV and have questions about home charging, contact your local utility for guidance.
