Electrifying the transportation network is the goal of most countries, including Canada. Electric vehicles will dominate the future automobile industry. It is true that proper energy storage and a robust charging infrastructure are key to achieving this goal. With the higher popularity of EVs as sustainable and eco-friendly transportation, the need for reliable EV charging infrastructure is increasing. Energy storage is the biggest factor promoting the reliability and performance of electric vehicle charging stations. Let us talk more about energy storage systems for EVs.
Why do you need energy storage systems for EVs?
Investing in energy storage systems for electric cars provides several advantages-
Reduce peak demands and promote electric grid stability
During peak hours, a surge in the use of electric energy is not manageable for traditional electric vehicle charging stations. It will put stress on electric grids. That is why you need to use energy storage solutions. The best energy management systems are smart solutions that store excess energy and release it during peak periods. It will make the grid stable and allow you to have a smooth charging experience throughout the year.
Minimize infrastructural costs and allow rapid charging solutions
Most electric car owners like to have rapid charging facilities. If they can charge their vehicles within a short time, it will be more convenient for them. But, rapid charging systems need a considerable power supply that makes infrastructure development costs higher. It will be a big problem for charging station owners and operators. Energy storage units should be designed to overcome the challenge.
They store energy mainly when there are lower electricity rates. Electricity is supplied to the faster charging stations. So, there will be no strain on the electricity grid.
Provide backup power
In electric car charging stations, energy storage provides several other significant benefits. During an emergency or power outage, the energy storage system works as the source of backup power. So, it will make the overall charging infrastructure more resilient. The local community will also benefit from the charging stations.
Renewable energy source integration
With the increasing use of renewable energy to manage climatic issues, it is essential to integrate EV charging stations into renewable sources. The storage systems are capable of storing surplus energy produced from wind turbines and solar panels. The best charging stations are highly sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint.
Better user experience and load management
Another way to maintain the stability of the charging infrastructure is load management. Equipped with advanced algorithms, the energy storage systems allow smart load balancing. It will help with optimized power distribution across different charging points. So, there will be no overcrowding issues, and you will have the best experience.
Storing the solar energy for electric car charging systems
Solar battery storage units for EV charging ensure no waste of solar electricity during the daytime. The energy remains stored onsite, and you can use it for your needs. It will allow you to lower utility bills by more than 30%. So, you can meet your EV’s recharging needs for higher convenience.
To optimize the potential of your EV solar setup, you have to install a reliable battery storage system. Storing energy in the battery for solar charging lets you reduce the EV solar charging limits. Renewable electricity will be easily accessible to users. Besides, storing excess solar energy in household batteries will lower the utility bill.
Solar battery storage- How does it work?
It is to be noted that a storage battery is not a must for your solar electric vehicle charging. If you have installed solar panels on a roof or any other place, it converts solar energy into usable AC electricity. As you own the solar panel, you can use the electricity to recharge EVs and power home appliances. So, let the panels get exposed to direct sunlight.
The best fact is that you will get 24-hour access to solar energy if you have a battery storage system. When you do not need solar electricity, it will remain stored for your future use. Battery-connected solar electric vehicle charging systems are highly advantageous to consumers.
Most electric car owners want to recharge vehicles at their homes. However, energy availability and charging preferences do not always match.
Modern solar energy storage units use electricity produced by solar panels. So, you can use the electricity to recharge electric vehicles and other appliances at any time.
When you do not use batteries in solar electric vehicle charging units, the excess solar energy returns to the grid. So, you cannot reclaim it anytime for recharging EVs.
In solar EV charging systems where batteries are not used, any solar electricity not consumed during the day is fed back into the grid, and thus cannot be reclaimed later in the day for EV recharging purposes. Incorporating batteries into solar panels allows you to make the optimal use of solar energy.
Battery storage solutions for solar electric car charging- Are there any limitations?
The initial investment for battery storage unit installation is quite high. So, if you are budget-conscious about solar batteries, you need to look for incentives and special schemes. It will help you finance the initial cost.
Moreover, some solar panels last only for 25 years, and then you may notice a decline in performance. Even Tesla Powerwall, a sophisticated solar battery unit, has just a 10-year warranty. Thus, you may need to replace the battery setup after a certain period.
Conclusion
Energy storage systems for EVs are significant factors in reshaping the grid in the future. They should facilitate renewable energy integration to promote grid stability. It will help with the efficient management of loads and decarbonization efforts. Proper integrations will drive initiatives for grid modernization. Solar energy is the best renewable source used for running electric vehicles.