Hawaiian Electric tests energy storage-based EV charging

The Hawaiian Electric Company is testing a behind-the-meter energy storage solution with a direct current fast-charging station for electric vehicles. The utility is investigating whether such a battery system could be cheaper than upgrading the grid to accommodate the charger. Hawaii will need convenient fast charging to reach its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.

Dive Brief:

Greenlots and Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) are testing a fast charging electric vehicle stations test if they are a viable alternative to grid upgrades to accommodate EV chargers, Greentech Media reports.

The fast charger’s integrated energy storage allows it to remain in full power using electricity stored at times when generation is abundant, such as mid-day when many rooftop solar panels are sending power to the grid.

Greenlots has implemented its SKY platform, a scalable, vehicle-grid integration technology, in an EV fast charger owned and operated by HECO as part of a joint research, development and demonstration project with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

The public DC fast charger will be available to EV drivers at HECO's approved rate of about $6 to $7 per session for the six-month pilot.

Dive Insight:

The combination of EVs and batteries are becoming more prevalent, particularly in places where high electricity rates or high demand charges aid in making the economics of those systems cost efficient.

Other partnerships, including one between Panasonic Enterprise Solutions and Powertree Services, aim to offer a combination of solar, batteries and EV charging that not only reduces demand charges but also eliminates the need for electrical upgrades at the host site, while also providing ancillary services.

Another project in Carmel, Indiana,with Duke Energy and Toshiba brings together solar, batteries and a charging station. However, most battery installations with EV charging use level 2 240-volt chargers, rather than DC fast charging.

The HECO pilot is not focused on ancillary charges, nor is it integrating on-site solar power. Instead, it is testing whether or not it is cheaper to have a battery fulfill the energy load of a 50-kW, 480-V DC fast charger than it is to complete otherwise necessary upgrades to the grid infrastructure, such as upgrading the transformer.

"With our state’s 100% renewable portfolio goals, we are working to support the build out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to provide EV drivers with range confidence," Jim Alberts, HECO senior vice president for customer service, said in a statement.

Convenient fast charging of EVs will have to be part of the solution is Hawaii is to reach its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045. As of January, Hawaii had more than 4,000 EVs, up 25% from the year before.

Home charging is most common with EVs, but well-placed fast chargers will be a crucial component of delivering EVs into the mainstream.