The ISO/RTO Council issued a report last week that projected
up to one million electric vehicles on American roads by 2020. The report
entitled “Assessment of Plug-in Electric Vehicle Integration with ISO/RTO
Systems” lays out the challenges of EV mobilization for independent system
operators (ISOs) and regional transmission organizations (RTOs). Due to the
increase in EV production and sales, the ISO/RTO Council says that tiered
charging will be necessary to prevent system overloads. The council notes that
tiered charging will only be possible as charge management software and systems
are implemented in the next decade.
In the report, the ISO/RTO Council notes that its members
would serve nearly 685,000 of the projected one million EVs on the road by
2020. This estimate includes more than 119,000 EVs in the Los Angeles area and
54,000 EVs in New York City. The council notes that the widespread adoption of
EVs will present a significant challenge to overextended electrical grids. If
every electric vehicle were to plug in at the same time, the report estimates a
total electrical output of 3,785 megawatts for full recharges. The ISO/RTO
Council estimates that Los Angeles EV drivers would consume 658 megawatts of
that total with 299 megawatts coming from New York City EV drivers.
Aside from estimating the number of EVs on American roads,
the report also points out the need for tiered or staggered charging. Utilities
could use smart grid technologies to redistribute electrical power depending on
time of day, usage patterns and charge times. By staggering electrical charges,
the overall charge demand of 3,785 megawatts could be reduced to 546 megawatts
during 12-hour charges. In the Los Angeles example, staggered charging would
decrease electrical consumption from 658 megawatts to 98 megawatts with 12-hour
charges. The New York City projection would decrease from 299 megawatts to 22
megawatts using smart grid technologies.
This report voices the concerns of 10 utilities serving more
than 210 million customers in North America. The ISO/RTO Council consists of
operators from the Alberta Electric System Operator to the Electric Reliability
Council of Texas. We often focus on the consumer interaction with EVs and
charging units without thinking about the needs of utilities. As EVs hit the
market, it will be critical for automakers and government agencies to meet the
needs of utilities as electrical demands increase. These investments will not only pave the way
for EV adoption but they will also ensure that homes and businesses stay
powered around the clock.
