As EV charging points become more common, the discussion around power-based charges (demand charges) has increased as well. Many housing cooperatives have already installed EV charging systems or are planning to do so. In this article, we take a closer look at what demand charges actually are and what housing cooperatives should consider when acquiring charging infrastructure in order to avoid costly and unexpected power-based charges. An EV charging system must be a future-proof solution that serves parking areas for the long term.
What is a demand charge?
A demand charge refers to fees based on the power used to charge electric vehicles – in other words, how much electricity is drawn from the grid at one time, measured in kilowatts.
If a charging system lacks smart features, all charging points may operate simultaneously at full power without considering the property’s electrical capacity. This can lead to unexpectedly high momentary electricity consumption, prompting the grid operator to charge an additional demand fee for the excess power used.
Problems without a smart charging system
Are you concerned about demand charges? Without smart load management, a housing cooperative may also face other issues
- Uneven power load distribution
- Expensive and unpredictable electricity bills due to exceeding normal peak power limits
- Difficulty in adding more charging points to the system
- Exceeding the property’s electrical capacity can cause power outages or other disruptions
- Communication network disruptions affect the operation of load management.
The Solution: Latinki Charging System with smart local load management
The Latinki Charging System is a smart EV charging solution with local load management that ensures the property’s power limit is not exceeded but remains within predefined thresholds — eliminating the risk of unexpected demand charges.
We prioritize careful professional planning, ensuring that the Latinki Charging System we offer meets both current and future needs — tailored to each specific site.
The Etrel INCH chargers used in the Latinki solution are integrated with local load management, allowing charging power to adjust based on the building’s overall electricity consumption. This ensures the electrical connection is not overloaded, and the available charging capacity is distributed intelligently among all charging stations.
Maximum power limits can also be defined on a site-specific level. When load management is in use, these limits will not be exceeded and possible communication network disruptions do not affect the operation of the system. This way, surprising demand charges are avoided and the property’s electrical system remains safe and reliable.
Without expert planning, demand charges can cause significant additional costs, create unfair cost distribution, and render the property’s electrical system unsustainable. We help housing cooperatives adopt a safe, controlled, and long-lasting charging solution that serves all users equally.
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