Native Sun Community Power Development and Open Access Technology International (OATI) announced a partnership to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Upper Midwest tribal nations through the deployment of smart EV charging infrastructure and related clean energy technologies.
EVolution’s dual port charger
The effort focuses on expanding access to EV charging in tribal communities and supporting broader electrification goals. The project may also enable future developments involving microgrids, distributed energy resources and participation in energy markets.
Native Sun, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, has entered the final phase of deployment for its Electric Nation program. Under agreements with tribal nations across the Upper Midwest, OATI, through its subsidiary EVolution, will supply EV charging equipment, smart charging software and customer support.
Native Sun and OATI are coordinating installation of the charging systems, which will be owned by each Tribe after deployment and supported by extended warranty coverage.
EV charging is a common early step in electrification projects, and the EVolution Smart EV Charge Station Solution includes:
- EV charging stations in various configurations and power levels
- A cloud-hosted charge station network management system (NMS)
- A mobile app for EV drivers
- Professional services for deployment and operations
- 24/7 operational and customer support
The EVolution NMS is hosted in the OATI Cloud, which is developed for energy-related applications and provides security and data-management capabilities.
The program also includes services beyond charger deployment. OATI can provide tribes with additional consultation, design and planning support for microgrid development, which can assist with energy planning and potential participation in energy markets. These technologies can be applied in settings such as manufacturing or data centers. They also can be used to manage variability in electrical service and provide options for addressing demand charges that increase utility costs.
Filed Under: Charging, Electrification, Sustainability