Itron, Inc. and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are collaborating to make electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible.
As part of exploring ways to modernize its electric meter network, PG&E is working with Itron on a pilot project to develop and test the management of EV charging loads in real time to significantly lower the barrier for customers to charge their EVs at home by avoiding the need for costly customer electric panel and service upgrades.
Typically, a Level 2 EV charger requires a 200-amp service to the customer’s home. A Level 2 charger is up to 15 times faster than plugging into a standard wall outlet, allowing drivers to fill an all-electric vehicle from empty overnight. If a customer has 100-amp service, which is the case for about half of the existing homes in PG&E’s service area, upgrading to a 200-amp panel and service can cost customers thousands of dollars and take months to complete.
Unlike typical cloud-only software-based integrations that exchange information only a few times a day, the EV Connect program is unique in that it uses distributed intelligence (DI) edge computing that operates on a customer’s electric meter directly.
This on-meter application connects to, and coordinates with, the customer’s EV charger to keep charging within their panel and utility grid limits. The combined solution enables a customer to avoid the cost of panel and service upgrades while still being able to install and operate faster Level 2 EV charging at home.
The innovative EV Connect program is the first of its kind and combines elements of consumer engagement, advanced edge compute capabilities and broad industry collaboration to provide a cost-effective, consumer-friendly, secure end-to-end solution that increases access to electric vehicle charging for PG&E’s customers.
The initial scope of the EV Connect pilot program will support up to 1,000 residential customers who currently own or are considering purchasing an EV and have panel or service limitations that prevent them from installing a Level 2 EV charger at home.
PG&E will replace customers’ existing electric SmartMeters with Itron Riva meters, enabling them to immediately install and utilize Level 2 chargers available within the program. PG&E and Itron plan to launch the new pilot offering in early 2025, with larger availability in the second half of 2025.
Filed Under: Charging, Technology News