Local distribution companies (LDCs) have less than 15 years to prepare for a major step-up in electric vehicle adoption, driven in part by the requirement that all light-duty cars and passenger trucks sold in Canada after 2035 be zero-emission. LDCs need to enable a smooth and reliable transition to electrified transportation while managing any potential impacts on their current infrastructure.
London Hydro has been preparing for the increased demand on its distribution system since the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2010, in part through community-based research and analysis to ensure customers’ growing needs are met while maintaining the system’s overall reliability. The full strategy includes various components.
RESEARCHING GRID IMPACT
Using Electrical Safety Authority data, London Hydro recently identified over 300 addresses in its service territory where customers have installed EV chargers. It then leveraged smart meter data for these addresses to simulate various load modelling and adoption rates. The assessment indicated no evident grid limitation in most cases, although actual loading on secondary cables and transformers will continue to be monitored and standards revisited if loading is trending above the equipment rating.
Additionally, London Hydro conducted an EV survey of its Commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers. Slightly higher than 50 per cent of respondents indicated they intend to incorporate EVs into their fleet, and 20 per cent of the respondents have already electrified 90 per cent of their fleet. A good segment of the companies surveyed are planning their fleet electrification within the next five years.
Click here to read London Hydro's feature cover story in the winter issue of The Distributor.