ENZ EEG Presentation: preparing networks for electric vehicles

In addition to our Electrical Engineering Group members, we extend the invitation to members of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) , the Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE).

Join us for two discussions about how distribution substation engineering is evolving to meet the challenges of decentralisation and electric transport. As more public chargers are connected, how do we make the best use of our networks before augmenting? Currently, it is usual to reserve capacity in a distribution substation for the continuous peak rating of the charger. However, in low usage EV-charging areas it might be better to monitor usage rather than reserve. This is useful before mass uptake occurs, and the utility has actual charging data on which to make planning decisions.

Dan Martin will talk about understanding and specifying distribution substation technology, with a case study on improving the substation utilization with public EV chargers being connected. Russell Watson will present engineering considerations of connecting electric transport to a network.

Following the presentation Dan and Russell will be available to answer your questions.

The key outcomes of this presentation will be:

1. An overview of the latest challenges and opportunities for networks, as transport is electrified.
2. Understanding some of the applicable standards, and how to keep compliancy.
3. Methods that can defer distribution network capacity upgrades.

About the speakers:

Dan Martin is the innovation manager at ETEL transformers, and he is both a Chartered member of Engineering NZ and a Senior member of the IEEE. He has twenty years of power engineering experience. He currently chairs NZ’s power transformer engineering group at CIGRE.

Russell Watson is a principal engineer at Northpower, who has a keen interest in electric transport, and will discuss his first-hand experience from a rural network as the Northland region readies for electric transport. He has many decades of engineering experience with utility networks.