Jonathan Quint: NH can act now to prepare grid for EVs
Jonathan Quint
WHAT WOULD happen to the power grid if suddenly EVs became popular? For New Hampshire, the short answer is not much. New Hampshire has approximately 1.2 million cars and trucks registered; this includes both commercial and private vehicles. Of these, the number of EVs is estimated at around 6,000 to 7,000, depending on the source. Regardless, it is a tiny fraction of the total — about one-half of 1%.
If the number of EVs increased tenfold would that affect the load on the grid from EV charging? Unlikely. Here’s why. First, most EV owners charge primarily at home, and all EVs provide scheduled charging. At night, when most EVs are charged, electricity demand is lowest and many power plants are idle or turned off. EVs charged overnight place negligible additional demand on grid capacity. Therefore, it would be wise policy to encourage overnight EV charging.
What about EV drivers coming to New Hampshire for recreation, or simply passing through? These drivers would use roadside charging stations, which take their power from the grid. Could these EV charging stations overwhelm the grid? It’s possible but unlikely, as grid operators will increase capacity to handle the load. Why? Because utilities make guaranteed profit on the power they generate.
Utilities that generate power charge specific, regulated rates based on complex formulas. They are allowed to cover all their costs, plus a return on investment. Therefore, the more they invest the greater their profit. This is why utilities are incentivized to produce more power. And this is why utilities will deliver the power required by EV charging demand.
A longer-term concern regarding the power grid is transmission. Electric utilities here (and elsewhere) have adequate transmission capability for now, but not for future demand projections.
Since utilities make profit on power, they have no incentive to aid energy conservation efforts, nor do they have any incentive to improve the grid to handle alternative energy inputs (such as solar, wind, or hydro).
Many experts believe that the current grid and power lines are inadequate for growth. According to NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation), a nonprofit corporation, we need “exponentially more transmission to meet clean energy goals.” How much? According to a Reuters report, $1 trillion worth. Fortunately, New Hampshire and New England are not at the highest risk. According to NERC, New England meets resource adequacy criteria but faces “elevated risk” of shortfalls in extreme weather conditions.
For the reasons listed above, I suggest two actions we should all take:
The first action is relatively attainable: we must demand that ISO-NE (the regional transmission provider for New England) and New Hampshire electric utilities implement active demand response, also known as “Time-of-Use” (TOU) pricing. They should charge more for power during peak times and charge less for overnight usage.
This would make a significant difference in usage patterns that would enable the accommodation of larger numbers of EVs with no impact on homes and businesses. Moreover, everyone would benefit, not just EV owners. Take dishwashers, for example. They use a lot of energy. Using the “delay” feature so that it runs overnight would decrease the load on the grid in the evening (which is considered peak time until 8 p.m.) and with TOU pricing would save the customer money.
The second action, which is longer-term, would be to call for legislation to mandate more investment in the grid. The New Hampshire 10-Year State Energy Strategy developed by the state Department of Energy describes 10 goals for 10 years — but does not dictate specific requirements. Even as it acknowledges that “the region must still solve the winter resource adequacy problem” it makes no specific recommendations for mitigating the effects of climate change on the power grid.
As we progress through the 21st century, it is inevitable that energy generation and consumption will evolve from dependence on fossil fuels to the dominance of renewable energy. It is in everyone’s economical and health interest to facilitate that change. Whether we drive EVs or not, we must demand TOU pricing and we must call on our elected leaders to mandate investment in electricity transmission.
Jonathan Quint lives in Goffstown.
