The Main Reasons Electric Vehicles Will Not Topple the Grid
During the first half of September 2022, a scorching heat wave led the electric power grid in California to the brink of a possible blackout since state officials appealed to electric vehicle (EV) owners to let several hours pass by before they plug in their cars. The plea came from the state’s Independent System Operator, days after the approval by state regulators of a plan banning the sale of the latest gas vehicles in 2035.
Conservatives immediately took advantage of such a disparity as a surefire indicator of Democratic policy setbacks and transportation electrification pitfalls. Some industry observers described EVs as another means of overburdening the crumbling power grid in California.
Despite the many questions that electric vehicle charging raises given California’s toppling energy grid, there are still a few practical reasons why EVs won’t break the state’s power grid.
Adaptive Transition to an Increasing Demand
With the rapid growth of EV demand across the state and throughout the country, utilities are already eyeing a grid-friendly “load growth” plan to meet additional electricity demand. Specifically, utilities aim to improve grid capacity through eco-friendly energy source integration, battery storage expansion, and transmission line construction.
To do so, however, they need to employ load management, which refers to a utility’s capability to adapt to energy supply-and-demand fluctuations in real-time and, as a result, prevent outages.
Electrification Preparations
Industry experts remarked that power grid improvements are needed to avoid outages resulting from heavy demand and help the country facilitate the transition from gas cars. With the help of the Inflation Reduction Act (passed this summer) and the infrastructure law from last year, it will be possible for the electrification of transportation to take place, allowing the electric power grid to become steadfast and dependable.
Regardless of the conservatives’ move against California officials’ plea to EV owners to unplug in the event of a torrid heat wave, industry pundits commented that more EVs wouldn’t heavily impact the state’s energy grid.
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