DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Steven Lacey interviews Giovanni Bertolino, the head of e-mobility for North America at Enel X, about the potential of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to support the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid. Giovanni explains that since most EV charging happens at home during the night, it aligns well with regions with high wind generation, but not with those with high solar penetration.
To better utilize solar energy, more charging infrastructure needs to be deployed in places like workplaces, fleets, and schools, where EVs can charge during the day. Smart charging capabilities can also help absorb excess renewable energy when it's available. However, to achieve a balance between renewable supply and EV demand, more widespread adoption of EVs is still needed.
Giovanni envisions a future where EV charging becomes as ubiquitous as charging our phones, with chargers available everywhere cars sit idle for long periods. This would enable vehicle-to-grid integration, allowing EVs to provide services back to the grid. Fast charging stations, on the other hand, would cater to long-distance travel needs but have less impact on renewable energy absorption.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Electric vehicle (EV) chargers and smart charging capabilities have the potential to support the integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.
- For EVs to effectively absorb excess renewable energy, a widespread network of chargers is needed in places where vehicles sit idle for long periods, such as homes, workplaces, and fleets.
- Smart charging capabilities can help match EV charging demand with renewable energy supply availability.
- While widespread slow chargers can support renewable energy absorption, fast chargers cater to long-distance travel needs but have less impact on absorbing excess renewable energy.
- Broader EV adoption is still needed to achieve a balance between renewable energy supply and EV charging demand.
- EV charging is expected to become as ubiquitous as charging cell phones, with chargers available everywhere cars sit idle.
- Vehicle-to-grid integration, enabled by widespread chargers, can allow EVs to provide services back to the grid, such as frequency regulation.
- The electrification of transportation, coupled with a decarbonized electricity sector, can contribute to the overall decarbonization of the energy system.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If we really want to enjoy the benefit of vehicle to grid integration and use that storage as a way to absorb renewable energy, as a way to provide services back to the grid, we need to have a very widespread network of chargers where cars can be attached all the time.“ by Giovanni Bertolino
- “I think we are in a journey towards a complete decarbonization of the electricity sector. Electrification of transportation will provide additional benefit because we will be able to fully decarbonize also transportation if we are able to electrify it and at the same time decarbonized the electricity sector.“ by Giovanni Bertolino
- “I think 2020 will be a year of growth compared to the past, but where we can really start seeing huge step up and acceleration will be 2021 and 2022, with all the new models being commercially available, new models coming up, the infrastructure having advanced even more, providing all or addressing the concerns from drivers to adopt an electric vehicle.“ by Giovanni Bertolino
- “A very different need is served by the fast charging infrastructure, which serves the need of people who need to drive long distance. And want to spend as little time as possible waiting for their car to be charged to continue on their journey.“ by Giovanni Bertolino
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Episode Information
The Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
3/25/20
This is an original, branded podcast produced in partnership with Enel X and GTM Creative Strategies.
Electric vehicle chargers now outnumber gas stations in some countries. They’re getting easier to find. They’re easier to install in homes. And they’re getting way smarter.
So how can we harness all these chargers for the benefit of the grid and consumers?
In this special podcast episode, produced in partnership with Enel X, we’re exploring the vast potential of electric vehicle chargers. We’ll talk with Giovanni Bertolino, the head of e-mobility for North America at Enel-X about a concept called managed charging. It’s also known as intelligent charging.
Giovanni’s team deploys networks of chargers that can adapt to pricing and grid needs — providing demand response services, and potentially, real-time services to manage the frequency of the grid.
We speak with Giovanni about the rise of managed charging. We started with the underlying market conditions: the grid is getting saturated with wind and solar. So how can chargers paired with demand response help support more renewables?
Large energy users partner with Enel X to manage risk on the energy markets, maximize payments through demand response, and finance upgrades to facilities to improve demand response earnings. They also increasingly work with Enel X to use chargers to manage the grid.
Find out more about how Enel X can help you capitalize on your biggest energy opportunities.
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