Smart Multi-User EV Charging System

SMART MULTI-USER EV CHARGING SYSTEM

The EVOLUTE™ is a Smart Multi-User Electric Vehicle Charging System, designed and developed to address the unique challenges associated with deploying Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) in both new and existing Multi-User Residential Buildings (MURBs). Currently, the main challenges facing this sector are limited capacity, remote control, billing, and consumer freedom. While other systems address some of these issues, the Evolute is the only system that addresses all four. The Evolute’s advantage over other systems is its agnostic charging station compatibility; this gives consumers full freedom of choice, while still providing an interactive app to control, monitor and pay for usage. The Evolute software includes a cloud-based dashboard for administrators and management, with tools for remote control, monitoring, billing, and account management.

Cost of Infrastructure – In a retrofit Condo, only owners tapping into the system will pay for it. The cost of a 20 or 32 vehicle system can be divided amongst all users. The Condominium can charge end-users a one-time connection fee that represents 1/20 or 1/32 of the cost of the supply and installation. In a new construction Condo, the cost per parking spot of the system represents a fraction of the potential sell price for an EV ready parking spot. In new and existing rental and commercial buildings, the corporation can charge substantial monthly fees in addition to the electricity consumption costs.

Evolute is designed, developed, and manufactured in North America using cutting edge innovation and technology.

Powered with Eaton Technology, Intelligence by EVdirect

KEY FEATURES

COMPATIBILITY

All Level II charging stations are compatible with the Evolute system, as well as all standard 250V receptacles, such as NEMA 14-50, 6-50 etc.

SMART MULTI-METERING

Built-in individual smart meters track the usage of each owner’s consumption as well as the entire system. The data is stored in a secure Canadian-based cloud server.

SURGE PROTECTION - OPTIONAL

The entire system and downstream charging stations are protected from unwanted electrical surges that may occur in the building. Many buildings already have system wide protection.

SEAMLESS OPERATION

A dedicated internet connection drives the Evolute’s communication. In the unlikely event that the building’s internet goes down, charging and load management will be uninterrupted. Once restored, all data and billing info will be available to view.

LOAD MANAGEMENT

The Evolute’s sophisticated algorithm can be pre-set or adjusted in the future to meet a variety of load sharing ratios and minimum acceptable standards. Typical multipliers include 2X, 3X and 4X existing available power and distributing it fairly over an 8-12hr period.

TOTAL CONTROL

Owners and system administrators can access their data though a user- friendly desktop or mobile application. The Evolute App gives each owner full ON/ OFF control of their charging station from any device.

MONITORING + BILLING

The automated billing platform is seamless and easy to set up. The Evolute is flexible and can charge owners based on time-of-use or flat rate, depending on the building’s preferences.

NO CONTRACTS + FREE DATA

Data is free and always accessible to administrators and third-party billing companies at no extra cost.

There are no contracts to sign and rates can be adjusted at any time.

HOW IT WORKS

SYSTEM FLOW

The EVOLUTETM is connected to the main switchboard in the main electrical room with a new or existing fused switch. All system components are installed in an unused corporate space in the garage, storage room or anywhere feasible.

IMPLEMENTATION

  • Site visit and audit of electrical systems is arranged
  • Proposal, load assessment, drawings and an estimate are given to the board
  • Board meetings, Zoom meetings, and owner’s meetings are scheduled
  • Owner’s survey is sent out to determine interest and adoption
  • Interested owners provide parking spaces and specifics for a “Last Mile” estimate
  • Management confirms all owners participating in initial bulk install
  • EVdirect electricians begin the system and end-user installation
  • System is energized, commissioned and inspected by ESA

OWNER ACCESS

  • On-boarding email received
  • Account/passcode created
  • Fees paid
  • Station energized
  • Charging begins

EVOLUTE PRODUCTS

EVOLUTE EVO-40042

SPECIFICATIONS

400A, 42cct, 208Y/120V 3Ph 4W 72”H x 28”W x 5.75”D Main Lugs – Bottom Cable Entry

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE – cUL/CSA

  • Multi-Metering Module
  • Breaker Control Bus
  • Admin Dashboard
  • Fixed CT Rails
  • Ethernet Gateway
  • End-user App
Max panel capacity vs Max active charging20 CAR CAPACITYMaximum Simultaneous Charging
Voltage / kW208V6.66kW8.32kW
EVSE Breaker Size40A Breaker50A Breaker
When using a Step-down Transformer75 kVA106
112.5 kVA1512
When using a Main Breaker @ 208-240V200A76
250A97
400A1512

EVOLUTE EVO-60072

SPECIFICATIONS

600A, 72cct, 208Y/120V 3Ph 4W
90”H x 28”W x 5.75”D
Main Lugs – Bottom Cable Entry

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE – cUL/CSA

  • Multi-Metering Module
  • Fixed CT Rails
  • Breaker Control Bus
  • Ethernet Gateway
  • Admin Dashboard
  • End-user App
Max panel capacity vs
Max active charging
32 CAR
CAPACITY
Maximum Simultaneous
Charging
Voltage / kW208V6.66kW8.32kW
EVSE Breaker Size40A Breaker50A Breaker
When using a Step-down
Transformer
112.5 kVA1512
150 kVA2015
When using a Main
Breaker @ 208-240V
400A1512
500A1915
600A2419

DYNAMIC LOAD THROTTLING ARCHITECTURE RESPONSE SYSTEM

HOW DOES IT WORK

Dynamic Load Throttling Architecture Response System (DLTARS) allows more charging stations to be installed than the peak capacity of the building can handle. DLTARS monitors the main electrical service of the building and dynamically throttles down/up the Evolute’s upper power limit during peak circumstances. All Evolute panels are networked together with Cat5 wiring, they communicate with each other, and throttle limits based on live active users. Once power in the building goes below the preset values, all Evolute panels will function normally.

FUNCTIONALITY

A single master panel will communicate with any number of auxiliary panels to control their load shedding thresholds. Each panel, including the master panel, can still operate individually and separately from DLTARS if desired. Additionally, panels do not need to be the same size or capacity, as the system will dynamically adjust load shedding limits based on each panel’s preset configuration.

LOAD SHEDDING ALGORITHM

The dynamic load shedding algorithm is based on the defined amps limit of the building. A soft current limit for the entire DLTARS system is then set at 80% of this building limit. Furthermore, the load shedding limit for each individual panel will begin to lower exponentially after monitored building current is seen exceeding 85%** of the soft limit (**percentage subject to change). Finally, the logic will dynamically adjust individual upper load limits based on each panel’s load capacity and active users.

FRONTEND CONTROL

DLTARS can be activated and controlled from the Evolute web-app. Here, the max amps that a building is rated for can be set for determining the dynamic load shedding thresholds mentioned previously. Toggles for turning on and off the system for all or individual panels can also be switched to tailor the system for each building implementation.

WHEN TO IMPLEMENT THE DLTARS SYSTEM

The DLTARS system can be installed at the same time as the Evolute panel installation or later as a retrofit. Hardware and software components can be added at any time. The same applies for the interconnected wiring, it can be added at any point that makes sense for both existing and new construction applications. DLTARS should be implemented when there is a concern that the existing power within a building will not be sufficient for demand based on peak values.

EVOLUTE INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE

The Evolute’s load shedding algorithm is the primary focus of the panel’s functionality. The panel will cycle through users over a predefined cycling time, permitting a limited number of vehicles to charge at any given time. However, all actively charging vehicles will not be throttled to a lower current limit, and will instead allow for maximum current flow in exchange for fewer active loads. The number of vehicles permitted to charge is based on a preset upper current limit for each phase of the panel, where this threshold will not be exceeded.

Each Evolute has a certain amount of power allocated to it for EV charging, typically this power is enough to allow half, a third or a quarter of the total connected cars to charge simultaneously. When the upper power limit is reached, the next car that comes to charge will be placed in a queue, and 2 parameters must be met before that car will start charging; 1) Is the car requesting power? 2) Have connected cars achieved a pre-established initial block of energy? If the answer is Yes to both, the car that started charging first, in relation to all other cars, will be removed from the power, allowing the new car to start charging. The new car will have an opportunity to achieve its block of energy before it is removed, if need be. The car that was removed now enters its queue for sharing. Cars will be rotated around in this way throughout the charge cycle of 8 to 12 hours, ensuring that all cars receive a minimum of 50% of the total charge cycle. Cars will remain connected and charging if the upper limit of each panel is not reached and will only drop off when the battery is full, or the owner disconnects their car.

PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER

The PLC controls all aspects of the panel’s automated functionality. It is connected via ethernet connection to the meter to receive data about power usage throughout the panel. It then uses this information for managing what breakers are enabled or disabled at a given time, while gradually cycling through users based on the implemented load shedding algorithm and current user configurations. The PLC also receives commands from the frontend control allowing loads to be remotely controlled and monitored

GATEWAY

The Gateway is a separate device, isolated from the main Evolute panel, and connected via another ethernet connection. It serves as the primary link between the PLC and the Evolute cloud server. This server connection allows for data from the panel to be stored in the cloud and accessed remotely by users. The gateway also has local storage to prevent data loss during internet or power outages. Additionally, the Gateway allows for user control to be passed from the user webapp to the PLC.

SOFT BREAKER IMPLEMENTATION

To avoid overcurrent scenarios and tripping the physical thermal breaker, software-based breakers have been implemented to control automatic disabling of the remote-controlled breakers. In the event that a breaker is automatically disabled, an email alert is sent to the support team. Once the issue has been resolved the breaker can be turned on remotely by a superuser. By default, these soft breakers are set to be triggered if the detected current through a given breaker exceeds 5% of its upper limit. In the case where a 40A breaker installed, the breaker is disabled if readings exceed 32A + 5%. The 5% threshold can be adjusted depending on the scenario.

APPLICATION VISUALIZATIONS

UNDERSTANDING TIME-BASED SHARING FOR EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE USING A STANDARD 40A BREAKER, DELIVERING 32A @ 208V = 6.7kW

The main issue surrounding EV infrastructure is limited power, the question is how to take the available power and optimize it without affecting EV drivers’ ability to charge when they need to, and drive as they please. One hour of charging at 6.7kW = 6.7kWh; this is a function of power consumed over time. The Evolute™ System is designed to deliver full power (6.7kW) during a charging session, as the power-sharing aspect is related to how much time or kWh each user will receive during a typical charging period. Based on a 12 hour span from 6PM to 6AM, and a 1:2 ratio (meaning doubling available power), each user can expect to receive a minimum of 6 hours at full amperage, resulting in 40kWh per day. It is rare that an EV driver would require this amount of charge time per day, which leads to the discussion around further optimization of time per driver. The Toronto and Vancouver Green Standards have narrowed down their minimum requirements to 16kWh and 12kWh during an 8 hour period. At full delivery of power (6.7kW), it will take 2-2.5hrs of charging to achieve these green standards, leaving lots of time to share the remaining available power. Other ratios may better suit the needs of the condo, all depending on how much available power there is and how to distribute it fairly and economically to as many cars.

Below are examples of how many cars can be connected to a power source with different ratios of time-based power-sharing
Available PowerNo Sharing2 x Sharing3 x Sharing4 x SharingToronto Green Standard
Minimum Requirements
16kWh over 8hr period
Vancouver Green Standard
Minimum Requirements
12kWh over 8hr period
kVAkW100% Amps
@ 208v
Minimum guaranteed block of time/kWh that each user will achieve if all users were to charge simultaneously for a 12 hour period.
On average EV drivers are only charging 1-3 hrs per night, 3-4 times a week, leaving a lot more power for those who require it.
12hrs = 80kWh6hrs = 40kWh4hrs = 26.8kWh3hrs = 20kWh3.6hrs = 24kWh
(over a 12hr period)
2.7hrs = 18kWh
(over a 12hr period)
7567208102030403344
100 90278132740534560
112.5101312153045605067
150135416204060806790
1751574852347719478104
20018055527548110790120
225202625306090120101134
2502256953367102134112150
2752487653774112148124165
3002708304080120160135180
3503159704794143188157210
400360111054108163215180240
450405125060121184242202270
500450138568136204269225300
550495152574148225296247330
600540166581162245323270360
650585180087175265350292390
700630194594189286377315420
7506752080101202306404337450
8007202220108216327431360480
8507652360114228347458382510
9008102500121243368485405540
9508552635128256388511427570
10009002775135270405538450600

UNDERSTANDING SHARING RATIOS AND SIMULTANEOUS CHARGING ON A PANEL LEVEL

EVOLUTE-40042 400A ratedEVOLUTE-60072 600A rated
Max panel capacity vs Max active charging20 CAR
CAPACITY
Maximum Simultaneous
Charging
32 CAR
CAPACITY
Maximum Simultaneous
Charging
Voltage / kW208V6.7kW8.3kW208V6.7kW8.3kW
EVSE Breaker Size40A Breaker50A Breaker40A Breaker50A Breaker
When using a
600-208V Transformer
75 kVA = 208A108112.5 kVA = 312A1512
112.5kvA = 312A1512150 kVA = 416A2016
When using a
Main Breaker @ 208V
200A@80% = 160A76400A@80% = 320A1512
250A@80% = 200A97500A@80% = 400A1915
400A@80% = 320A1512600A@80% = 480A2419

20 Vehicle System
EVOLUTE-40042 using 40A breakers

Various Transformer
and/or Breaker sizes
75kVA = 208A
112.5kVA = 312A
200A = 160A
250A = 200A
400A = 320A
Simultaneous users10157915
Waiting in queue10513115

Total # of users202020 2020
Sharing ratio1:21:1.31:31:21:1.3
Adding a 10 user Auxiliary panel to share the same power
Simultaneous users10157 915
Waiting in queue2015 232115

Total # of users3030303030
Sharing ratio1:31:21:41:31:2
Adding a 20 user Auxiliary panel to share the same power
Simultaneous users10157915
Waiting in queue3025333125

Total # of users4040404040
Sharing ratio1:41:2.61:5.51:41:2.6

UNDERSTANDING SHARING RATIOS AND DILUTION OF POWER ON A SYSTEM LEVEL

OPTION A:
Maintain full power to each panel while increasing the number of users

OPTION B:
Decrease power to each panel while increasing the number of users

OPTION C:
Monitor the Mains of the Building or Service to dynamically increase or decrease the system power based on real-time building demand.