Ergon and Energex have rewritten their rules on EV charging in Queensland, so properties running on a single-phase supply can now charge ahead at a full 7kW capacity.
Previously, EV owners were hamstrung by an archaic 20 Amp/4.6 kW limit or controlled load tariffs, but authorities have realised the network rules sorely needed updating.
Full Speed Charging Was Off Peak Only
Full-sized 32 Amp/7 kW EV chargers were permitted, but only if fed by a dedicated circuit from the utility meter. This produced a perverse situation where the EV charger wasn’t connected to a customer’s solar supply, and they were livid about paying coal-fired prices when they had ample solar available.
Enforcement Effectively Banned Solar Charging
Queenslanders on a single phase, who wanted to charge any time of the day or night, had only one option: no more than 20amps or 4.6kW.
An electrician could limit the circuit with a 20A circuit breaker and a setting inside the wall charger. Que the surprise when Energy Queensland began clarifying the rules, specifically to stop people installing a charger that wasn’t factory limited. They effectively banned anytime EV charging unless it was 2kW or less.
Sharing The Load; Financial and Electrical
Recognising the need for a better solution, Queensland has introduced two new managed connection arrangements employing smart technology capable of dynamically adjusting the power supply to EV chargers based on real-time grid demand.
This means network operators can throttle EV charge rates when the grid is struggling. Conversely, during off-peak times, it can allow for maximum charging capacity.
Smart management is a more sustainable and cost-effective use of our energy infrastructure, ensuring that the grid can accommodate growing EVs without requiring extensive and expensive upgrades.
Proper Managed Connections
The new regime is designed to let you charge an EV with your own solar and let the network handle the heavy lifting during high-demand periods. It’s a win-win: you charge your EV your way, and Energy Queensland ensures the grid stays reliable and ready for everyone.
- Basic active management
Available from 21 February 2024, for customers who want to connect a dedicated EV charger to a primary tariff. It means you can use your own solar power when charging or utilise time-of-use tariffs. Like a conventional controlled load, it can temporarily cut power to your EV charger during those sweltering afternoons when everyone’s cooking dinner, blasting air conditioners, and the network is sweating bullets. 1 - Dynamic connection,
A straight anytime supply with smart network demand management during peak times. Dynamic connections mean your EV charger directly converses with the electricity network. Imagine they’re texting back and forth, adjusting how much power your charger can pull based on how busy the network is. If the grid is sweating, your charger might dial down to use as little as 1.5kW, but on a good day, it can rev up to 15kW. 2Again, this lets you hook up your EV charger to use your own solar power or snag cheaper rates with Time Of Use retail offers.
Energizing Queensland’s Electric Vehicle Transition
With 90% of our transport fuels currently imported, gearing up to secure our own fuel supply means our energy infrastructure requires a forward-thinking approach to accommodate the electrification task. Queensland was a laggard on this front, but the new rules open up possibilities, including flexible time-of-use tariffs, further optimizing energy consumption and costs.
Hold Your Horses
As of this minute, there’s a glaring absence of devices that meet Energy Queensland standards. They’ve thrown on a bar tab and don’t have any beer.
When this minor oversight is sorted, Energex will add an application form for dynamic EVSE connections to Energex’s EV Charging page.
After seeing what Queensland did with the GSD decision, I do despair sometimes; however, this flexible EV charging scheme shows a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hopefully manufacturers are scurrying to get their chargers through the Ergon and Energex doors for approval.
Comments are closed.