As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, the continued growth of EV charging infrastructure is critical to keeping drivers on the road. EVs and electrically powered transportation support a more sustainable future and the reliability of EV charging stations is crucial for continued adoption. Companies investing in e-mobility production and infrastructure need solutions that are scalable, reliable and get them up and running quickly to keep up with accelerating demand.
In the United States, sales of all-electric vehicles and hybrid models reached 20% of new car and truck sales for the first time last year. We can expect to see continued growth in the adoption of EVs and the need for EV charging infrastructure.
When they see a charging station, people often only notice charging pedestals and cables. However, those elements only scratch the surface of the technology required to build a safe and reliable distributed fast charging station. Charging installations typically include several charging pedestals tied to the grid alongside equipment to facilitate power connection and transformation, including a transformer and inverter (for converting AC power to DC power for the pedestals) and metering and switchgears. If a charging solution uses renewable energy, it needs specialized equipment for that as well, such as a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar converter and Battery Energy Storage (BESS) system. MPPT equipment adjusts the voltage and current of solar panels to maximize the amount of power delivered to the charging pedestals. BESS is highly valuable, especially to charge vehicles at night when solar panels are not producing power.
There are several key design elements that can impact the overall performance of EV charging stations:
Reliable design
Reliable design is crucial for EV infrastructure, especially for user experience and serviceability. If something goes down, technicians need access to maintain reliable uptime. When determining the placement of a charging station, it is important to work with the local utility company to determine if the grid has capacity. If the grid is overloaded, it will not be able to handle the demand of the charging station. Additionally, the components of the charging infrastructure must have the proper UL and NEMA ratings to meet outdoor requirements. Considering stations are located outside, they must be built to face the outdoor elements. Often, equipment is subject to harsh environments such as heat, cold and salt. A main failure point of electronics is overheating which makes it essential to also consider proper cooling solutions and heat dissipation. To ensure safety, the equipment in a charging station should be tamper-proof and vandal-proof. Reliable design can improve the customer experience, promote grid stability and support the safety of users.
Accessible service
Successful EV charging stations must have easy access and quick service for the users. When charging infrastructure is accessible, it encourages a wider range of people to use electric vehicles. This is an important factor in the adoption of EVs and the transition to the future of more sustainable transportation. Additionally, because people interact with EV charging infrastructure every day, electrical safety is paramount.
Protection
Without proper environmental and personnel protection, EV charging infrastructure will not be successful in the long run. Lightning or induced surges can destroy or compromise communication systems and data. Data and signal surge protection devices are designed to provide transient protection for equipment from induced surges in a compact design. This includes surge, power and lightning protection systems for maximum protection. Reliable design can improve the customer experience, promote grid stability and support the safety of users.
Protection for EV infrastructure may include safety standards and regulations to reduce the risk of electrical accidents, as well as best practices like adequate training for personnel involved in the installation, maintenance and operation of EV charging infrastructure. Properly protected infrastructure can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting the use of electric vehicles.
Optimal Installation
Installation can make or break the implementation of EV infrastructure. When planning for the installation of EV charging stations, it can be helpful to leverage utilities partnerships to determine optimal install locations. Government officials and utility companies want the process to be as straightforward, safe and efficient as possible. Some aspects of optimal installation may include utilization of high-quality materials to extend the lifespan of the charging infrastructure, assessment of the electrical capacity of the site to ensure acceptable durability and compliance with the necessary regulations.
nVent offers a range of innovative and reliable solutions that connect and protect EV charging infrastructure while reducing total installed cost and increasing design flexibility. With our product and engineering expertise, nVent is a reliable partner across a wide variety of E-mobility applications.
