Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular. So it is crucial to ensure the efficiency of charging infrastructure. One innovative solution involved is load balancing. But what exactly does load balancing (LB) entail? How does it work at charging stations? What benefits does it bring?
What is Load Balancing and Why Is It Needed?
When you have multiple charging stations in one location, such as a company parking lot or garage, or even at home, charging multiple electric vehicles at the same time can lead to overloading the power grid. This can even happen if you use several electrical appliances in your home at the same time. Load balancing comes into the picture here as a smart solution to avoid these problems.
How Does Load Balancing Work at Charging Stations?
Load balancing, a form of smart charging, distributes available power evenly across all active charging stations. It uses smart algorithms that take into account variables such as available electricity capacity, charging speed of connected vehicles and current energy consumption. This allows the system to determine which charging station can draw electricity at what time. In practice, this means that overcharging is prevented, and energy consumption is optimized, especially in situations where multiple vehicles are being charged simultaneously.
The illustration below shows how an available power of 22 kW is efficiently distributed to several electric vehicles, with the system determining in real time how much power to send to each vehicle.
The Benefits of Load Balancing
1. Less Chance of Overloading the Electricity Grid.
Load balancing minimizes the risk of overloading by intelligently distributing power, thereby maintaining grid stability.
2. Smart Power Steering
By taking into account various factors, such as loading speed and available capacity, load balancing ensures intelligent use of available power.
3. Easy To Add New Charging Poles = Future-proof
The system is flexible and easily expandable with new charging stations without significant modifications, making it future-proof for growing needs.
4. Cost Savings Through Efficient Energy Distribution.
By optimally distributing power, energy is used more efficiently, leading to long-term cost savings.
The Difference Between Static and Dynamic LB
Load balancing can be static or dynamic, depending on the technology used.
Static Load Balancing
Static LB operates at fixed charging rates regardless of changes in the power grid. Although easy to use, it cannot adjust to variations in power, which limits efficiency.
Advantages: Easier to use Disadvantages: Cannot adapt to changing power, does not use available power more efficiently
Dynamic Load Balancing
Dynamic load balancing adjusts power in real time, taking into account variables such as battery level, time of day and energy prices. It is ideal for larger high-demand charging networks, although it is more expensive and technologically complex.
Advantages: Takes variables into account, always efficient use of available power, real-time info on charging sessions via platform Disadvantages: More expensive, more complex technology
The Future of Efficient Electric Charging
Load balancing is central to the evolution of efficient electric charging. It prevents overcharging, optimizes energy consumption and prepares the charging infrastructure for the growing demand for electric vehicles. Whether static simplicity or dynamic intelligence, load balancing is the key to a sustainable and cost-effective future for electric charging.
