eMotorWerks, a subsidiary of the Enel Group’s new advanced energy services division, Enel X, is providing residential electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for Xcel Energy in Minnesota.
eMotorwerk’s charging technology will be used to support Xcel Energy’s two-year EV pilot program in Minnesota. The program will enroll up to 100 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Through the partnership, eMotorWerks is helping Xcel Energy better prepare the grid for the expected increase in electric demand created by EV charging. Xcel Energy will be purchasing and owning the charging units and installing the systems at residential customers’ homes. This gives the utility a more active role in EV charging management throughout their territories while simplifying homeowner charging, says eMotorWerks.
“By 2025, there’s expected to be over 11 million EVs in North America alone, and utilities need to work fast to actively meet this growing demand,” states Val Miftakhov, head of eMotorWerks. “As seen with Xcel Energy, our solution is practical not only for drivers and grid operators but utilities, as well, as it saves costs and increases customer touch points. We are pleased to see Xcel Energy preparing early for the EV market boom by implementing a charging solution for its customers that will pay dividends for decades to come.”
eMotorWerks says its JuiceBox Pro 40 will provide customers savings by eliminating the need to install a second electric meter to track EV charging electric usage. Customers can also receive lower charging rates under Xcel Energy’s EV Pricing Plan.
Connected by eMotorWerks’ JuiceNet cloud platform for EV charging load aggregation and control, the network of JuiceBox stations also provides the utility a demand response management solution for its grid operations. JuiceNet also enables operators to integrate renewable power into the EV charging electricity supply.
The program began on Aug. 29. More information can be found here.