Demand Side Management Software Directs Your EV Charging Site Toward Success
From electric vehicle charging stations to C-stores, electricity demand is in every direction on an EV fueling site. Without establishing a method to the madness, owners risk excess operational costs and unreliable service.
Sparkion’s demand-side management (DSM) software gathers data from all site loads with real-time monitoring to make intelligent load management decisions that optimize energy consumption. By taking control of your EV charging network, owners enjoy reliable operations, satisfied customers, energy savings and reduced costs to achieve their business goals.
Functions of demand side management software
Sparkion’s DSM software helps optimize site loads in a variety of ways including:
Load forecasting
Sparkion’s AI-driven software analyzes your site’s energy use (from EV chargers, renewable assets, batteries and more) for a comprehensive understanding of traffic patterns. Noting when charging sessions simultaneously occur can help pinpoint peak demand to prepare for these events. This intelligence directs the SparkCore EMS to better predict and accommodate loads by automatically implementing—and continually refining—a personalized site plan. With efficient, optimized energy usage and consumption, you can enjoy maximum available power with minimal operational costs. Learn more.
Sparkion has the only software that can measure site energy usage in sub-second intervals and map electricity traffic patterns between all site assets for more accurate predictions.
Renewable energy integration
Sparkion’s intelligence and control allow you to take advantage of the many benefits of renewables. You can choose to schedule charging sessions to coincide with periods of high renewable energy generation, and then discharge later to offset the costs of grid power. You can even decide where to direct generation, such as splitting it between DC fast chargers and the on-site C store. With algorithms aligned with your business goals, Sparkion is here to make your renewables work for you. Learn more.
Sparkion’s real-time monitoring and control allow you to take advantage of the many benefits of renewables.
Ancillary services
Sparkion is the only solution that integrates with all your site assets and uses real-time insight to automatically bid into grid programs when opportunities arise, so you can generate additional revenue while seamlessly maintaining your everyday operations.
- U.S. customers in some territories can participate in demand response programs in which they are compensated for curtailing their electricity use during periods of high power prices or compromised grid reliability.
- European customers can participate in the fast frequency response (FFR) and frequency containment reserve (FCR) markets where BSPs prevent grid instability and power outages.
Sparkion is the only provider that directly connects with EV chargers and other assets to integrate all available power into your ancillary service bid.
Overall, Sparkion’s demand-side management software empowers electric vehicle charging station owners to operate more efficiently, reduce costs and contribute to the stability and sustainability of the electrical grid.
FAQs
What is demand side management software?
Demand-side management software includes energy management tools that can help optimize energy consumption on an EV charging site. The software works with other energy management system hardware like a controller, onsite meters, sensors and more to intelligently monitor and direct power to loads.
How is demand side management a function of a smart grid?
Demand-side management becomes more effective and efficient with the deployment of smart grid technologies such as real-time monitoring, two-way communication, remote control and automation, time-of-use pricing, demand response programs and renewable energy integration. These functions provide utilities and customers like EV site owners with the tools and information needed to optimize energy consumption in real-time.
What site loads does Sparkion consider?
Managed loads—like EV chargers, batteries or renewable assets—are “smart” electronics connected to and controlled by Sparkion’s SparkCore controller. Unmanaged loads—like HVAC systems, pumps or car wash vacuum cleaners—are not smart devices and so can’t be controlled by its energy management system.
However, onsite meter data can still inform Sparkion when these loads are not drawing power via real-time measurements. This signals that there is available power to utilize elsewhere so the EMS can make use of the extra available grid, renewable or battery power by reallocating it to the managed loads such as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), turning what could have been wasted energy into extra revenue.