As power demand from charging electric trucks surges, many utilities are at risk of getting caught unprepared for the new strains on the grid. Two new publications can help them plan for upgrades that will take several years.
The much-needed shift to electric trucks and buses is picking up speed. But as more fleets of buses, delivery vans, and ultimately larger trucks go electric, their charging needs are set to create significant new loads on the power grid. Many states and utilities have not yet begun planning for these growing loads—and risk losing out on the benefits of electrified fleets to regions that are more prepared.
Two ACEEE publications released today can help utilities launch their planning efforts. A new study estimates expected peak loads in 2030 by state, and a six-page guide recommends seven key steps for utilities and their regulators.
Why planning for fleet electrification today is critical
The fleet electrification trend will likely accelerate in the coming years. Fleet managers are increasingly investing in electric trucks and buses for a variety of reasons, including to reduce air pollution, combat climate change, and lower their operating costs. New emissions regulations for trucks as well state regulations requiring increasing shares of vehicles to be zero emission will complement these market drivers.
Utilities need to prepare for expected load growth now because it will take time to make needed updates to grid infrastructure. Depending on the number and size of chargers, fleet charging sites can require anywhere from roughly 1 megawatt (MW) of power to 40 MW, an amount similar to the power needs of a large factory. These loads will often be concentrated on a limited number of distribution feeders, often requiring new or upgraded distribution feeders and sometimes new or upgraded substations that can take five years or more to propose, design, and build.
Loads will vary from state to state
Drawing on state-by-state projections of electric truck sales and use as well as information on charging load shapes, we estimated the power needs of electric fleets by hour of the day in 2030 for 48 states and Washington, DC.
For instance, we found that, by 2030, charging these vehicles will add about 1,000 MW to peak load in Texas and about 500 MW to peak load in California. Peak loads will range from 200 MW to 500 MW in 14 other states. These new loads need to be factored into electric system planning, including generation, transmission, and distribution.
How utilities should prepare for fleet electrification
Our new guide for utilities and utility regulators describes seven steps utilities should take immediately to start planning for new electric truck and bus fleet loads. Based on lessons learned from leading efforts, we recommend that utilities:
- Conduct a preliminary assessment of trucks’ potential power demands in the service territory.
- Consult with their public utility commission (PUC) about the process of planning for fleet loads.
- Develop a detailed forecast of new loads and plan modifications to distribution and other systems to serve them.
- Conduct community outreach and revise plans as needed in response to community input.
- Consider investing in technical assistance and make-ready infrastructure to support electrification.
- Submit a formal filing to an appropriate PUC docket and follow the docket process.
- Revise forecasts and plans regularly.
Utilities and regulators need to be proactive to understand and address these loads, using this seven-step process. Regions that take the lead in planning will be first to see the benefits of fleet electrification: better air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and more jobs. Delays could put these benefits at risk, as electric fleets will tend to locate in areas that take proactive steps to address these loads.
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