New Report Shows Active Managed EV Charging Can Double the Distribution Grid’s EV Hosting Capacity
Prepared for EnergyHub
Rising electric vehicle (EV) adoption is placing new demands on aging grid infrastructure. Active managed charging solutions offer utilities a way to manage EV load directly, supporting grid reliability while still prioritizing driver experiences.
In a new report prepared for EnergyHub, Brattle experts analyze real-world EV data from an EnergyHub program in Washington State to quantify the grid reliability and cost savings benefits of active managed charging solutions. They found that advanced optimization of EV charging can help utilities reduce local grid stress and minimize wholesale market costs while continuing to ensure customer charging needs are met.
The report, Demonstrating the Full Value of Managed EV Charging, compares two active management strategies tested in a real-world trial against unmanaged charging and passive time-of-use (TOU) rates. The authors find that active managed charging can:
- Cut EV charging peaks by up to 50%
- Double distribution system hosting capacity
- Defer distribution upgrades by up to 10 years
- Reduce system costs by up to $400 per EV annually
- Shift 95% of charging to off-peak hours
Demonstrating the Full Value of Managed EV Charging was authored by Brattle Principals Michael Hagerty, Ryan Hledik, and Sanem Sergici; Managing Energy Associate Akhilesh Ramakrishnan; and Energy Specialist Ethan Snyder. The full report is available below.
