GridUp: Advanced Tool for Forecasting EV Power Demands and Grid Upgrades
RMI has introduced GridUp, a cutting-edge, publicly accessible tool designed to assist utilities in forecasting energy and power demands driven by vehicle electrification. GridUp enables precise predictions of electric vehicle (EV) power requirements down to the census-block group level, equipping decision-makers with the detailed insights necessary to swiftly and confidently enhance grid infrastructure in response to the growing demand for EV charging.
"Fleet electrification necessitates the collaboration of a diverse ecosystem — utilities play as crucial a role as vehicle manufacturers, fleet owners, and charging infrastructure providers," stated Pat Donlon, Vice President of Global Vehicles at FedEx. "You can order as many electric vehicles as you want, but it won't matter if the grid isn't capable of supporting their charging needs. That's why tools like GridUp are essential to help utilities anticipate and plan for the increased electricity demand resulting from more personal and commercial EVs on the roads."
While the transportation sector is progressing toward electrification, the current US grid infrastructure is insufficient to meet the anticipated electricity demand for future EV charging, with necessary upgrades requiring significant time to implement. This presents a significant challenge for fleet operators, charging companies, and infrastructure planners, who face uncertainty regarding the specific charging needs of EVs, including when, where, and how much power will be required.
Clay Stranger, Managing Director at RMI, commented, "One of the most significant obstacles to widespread transportation electrification is the grid's ability to reliably supply the power needed for vehicle charging. GridUp tackles this issue by providing detailed projections of when and where EVs will require power, enabling utilities, cities, and states to make informed planning and investment decisions. This tool will help ensure charging availability that is equitable, widespread, and accessible exactly where and when it's needed most."
For instance, GridUp can assist utilities in forecasting:
"Fleet electrification necessitates the collaboration of a diverse ecosystem — utilities play as crucial a role as vehicle manufacturers, fleet owners, and charging infrastructure providers," stated Pat Donlon, Vice President of Global Vehicles at FedEx. "You can order as many electric vehicles as you want, but it won't matter if the grid isn't capable of supporting their charging needs. That's why tools like GridUp are essential to help utilities anticipate and plan for the increased electricity demand resulting from more personal and commercial EVs on the roads."
While the transportation sector is progressing toward electrification, the current US grid infrastructure is insufficient to meet the anticipated electricity demand for future EV charging, with necessary upgrades requiring significant time to implement. This presents a significant challenge for fleet operators, charging companies, and infrastructure planners, who face uncertainty regarding the specific charging needs of EVs, including when, where, and how much power will be required.
Clay Stranger, Managing Director at RMI, commented, "One of the most significant obstacles to widespread transportation electrification is the grid's ability to reliably supply the power needed for vehicle charging. GridUp tackles this issue by providing detailed projections of when and where EVs will require power, enabling utilities, cities, and states to make informed planning and investment decisions. This tool will help ensure charging availability that is equitable, widespread, and accessible exactly where and when it's needed most."
For instance, GridUp can assist utilities in forecasting:
- The areas expected to experience the highest EV growth and the factors driving that growth.
- Regions with high concentrations of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks are likely to see substantial new electricity demands.
- In the neighborhood of Cornell in southeast Atlanta, Georgia, where logistics companies have multiple distribution centers or freight depots, new electricity loads could reach up to 7 MW, comparable to the power used by the Atlanta Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium during an NFL game.
- The amount of energy required to support charging in specific areas.
- For example, GridUp predicts that by 2035, EV charging in Allegheny County, home to Pittsburgh, will demand the equivalent of energy used by nearly 68,000 single-family homes.
- For context, Pittsburgh currently has approximately 160,000 housing units.
- The types of charging locations needed in different areas.
- For instance, GridUp indicates that Crown Heights, a densely populated area of Brooklyn, will mostly need chargers in public locations and multi-family residences, whereas Kew Gardens Hills, a less densely populated neighborhood in Queens, will require chargers at single-family homes and public locations.
RMI has been piloting the GridUp tool since 2021, gathering valuable insights from utilities and regulators to refine the data provided for proactive grid investments. Feedback from beta users underscores the tool's impact:
"RMI’s modeling and load forecasting support gave us a glimpse into a future of significant decarbonization, providing the information necessary to develop projects that meet the near-, mid-, and long-term transport electrification needs of key corridors in our service territory," said Brian Wilkie, Director of Clean Energy Development – Transportation at National Grid NY.
"RMI’s GridUp tool strengthens our decision-making with local partners regarding budget requests, program design, grid distribution plans, and EV-ready building codes. In Washington, we pride ourselves on innovation, and we are excited to see the advanced work behind our Transportation Electrification Strategy scaled up into a national tool," remarked Steven Hershkowitz, Managing Director for Clean Transportation at the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Click here to know more the issues GridUp addresses.
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