Battery Storage and EV Charging
Stress on the Grid
Better access to public fast charging will continue to build the momentum of EV adoption and the accessibility of owning one of these vehicles. A major hurdle confronting utilities will be infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to keep up with the electricity demand from EVs.
The electric grid will have to balance supply and demand. Since the power grids are already so old and stressed , they would need help of a local destinations to generate power and store it.
Resorts can Help
The good news is, the sudden surge in electric vehicles is coinciding with increased utilization of renewable power generation and this can really help not just customers but also utility providers.
A local sustainable power grid will allow solar energy to be stored in on-site batteries and used later to charge EVs when electricity prices are high during peak times. This simply means it a resort to offer 24/7 charging without destabilizing the grid. A microgrid also brings down costs, and the system is highly agile and software-driven which means easy upgrades and more control.
Significant Benefits from Solar
A microgrid can generate electricity on demand without stressing the grid. This can act as both a generation source and a load source, adding flexibility to the grid. Furthermore; it also allows EV users to reduce their peak demand on the grid, and shift their energy consumption to hours when the energy costs are lower.
A microgrid can simplify the task of providing adequate charging facilities and that in turn will help in reducing the cost, thereby making offering EV charging for company vehicles and the public more affordable.
> reduce demand charges from the from local utility by using stored power
> ability to sell “grid services” using excess battery storage
> fast charging stations can be islanded during a power failure, providing back up power
The Tech
Solar Panels
Solar photovoltaics (PV) continues to be one of the fastest-growing electricity-generating technologies.
In 2016 it accounted for nearly 40% of all newly installed electricity sources in the U.S., second only to natural gas generation.
It is abundant and its fuel is free, clean, and renewable.
Energy Storage
The energy of generated electricity can be stored as a chemical energy, mostly in batteries.
This is a key component of microgrid configurations and it provides resiliency and redundancy.
Energy storage can have significant advantages by helping to lower demand charges, especially when paired with solar.
Stationary Fuel Cell
Stationary fuel cell technology is established and has proven to be very efficient and clean.
It produces electricity by using the hydrogen (typically from natural gas or biogas) as it’s fuel source and uses it electrochemically, with no combustion and very minimal pollutants.
It is a great option in a CHP (combined heat & power) configuration, which enables facilities to get the benefit of both electricity and heat.
EV Chargers
Alternatively known as DC fast-chargers, Level 3 chargers are especially useful during long trips that necessitate charges between destinations, as this sort of charging can add around 100–250 miles of range in 30–45 minutes.
This makes them ideal for resorts and hotels, to cater to those travelling. An EV charging solution attracts a new customers, who will try the resort, many for the first time.