The batteries in EVs can play a major role in relieving congestion, while their high demand can also be curtailed when the local conditions demand it. This type of grid-aware charging is becoming increasingly essential as EV adoption grows and demands of locations intensify now that batteries, solar arrays and an increase in charge points change how electricity should be managed.
Contracted transport capacity
Any location has a connection with a maximum capacity. The maximum power allowed at a location is contracted, and this means it is not allowed to draw more power from the grid than the contract allows. Stekker can make sure chargepoints don’t add to the local load if the maximum amount of power is already reached for a location.
At the same time, it could also be that the regional grid is overloaded, while local demand is actually low. Stekker can adjust the charging speeds of charge points in order to be aligned with whatever the grid needs.
Reaching the requested amount of energy within a reasonable timeframe is the goal, but if local or regional limits demand it, charging can be slowed down.
Benefits for Your Business
Avoiding capacity charges is often the most immediate benefit. Many businesses pay demand charges based on their peak power consumption. Uncontrolled EV charging can dramatically increase these peaks and costs.
Grid-aware charging can also help you avoid expensive infrastructure upgrades. Instead of increasing your grid connection capacity, smart management lets you charge more vehicles within your existing limits.
How It Works in Practice
A grid-aware system continuously monitors available capacity and upcoming demand. When a vehicle plugs in, the system calculates how much power it can allocate without exceeding limits. If multiple vehicles need charging, it balances load between them or prioritizes based on your rules.
This happens automatically, in the background. Drivers plug in their vehicles normally. The system ensures they’re charged by departure time while respecting grid constraints.