Press Release
EBCE and Kaluza Launch Charging Service to Slash Bills for EV Drivers
Oakland, California and Washington, DC - Tuesday, 4th October 2022 - East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), one of the top clean energy providers in the United States, and leading energy software platform, Kaluza, today announce launching a pioneering Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI) program to boost grid resilience, reduce energy costs and mitigate carbon emissions associated with electric vehicle (EV) charging.
The launch of the service follows a grid emergency in California caused by recent heat waves whereby EV drivers were asked to avoid charging at specific times. Helping to prevent such measures in the future, EBCE and Kaluza’s program will prove how EV smart charging will relieve system pressure by automatically shifting charging away from peak times, and allow drivers to use their car when they need to, regardless of when they plug in. By 2030, technology such as this could save the United States over $15 billion a year[1] without sacrificing the convenience, comfort and wallets of drivers who decide to go green.
The EBCE Smart Charge app, developed by Kaluza, will begin by servicing more than 1,000 electric vehicle drivers in California. As part of the initiative, Kaluza will enable drivers to easily ‘set and forget’ when they need their car ready via the mobile app, and optimize vehicle charging to occur when energy is cheaper and greener. The service could enable the average EV driver to save over $550 a year and reduce their charging carbon emissions by 36%[2].
Scott Neuman, CEO at Kaluza commented:“Electric vehicles offer a terrific opportunity for us to cut carbon and costs, but only if the grid is ready. Software that enables us to optimize charging is here, and it’s now time to use it so that we can start reaping the full rewards of electric vehicles for drivers and the energy system at large. We are delighted that EBCE is leading the way by launching this pioneering smart charging service powered by Kaluza.”
This initiative allows EBCE to leverage innovative software to better manage local electricity demand. As the local public provider, EBCE is implementing programs that help customers manage their electric use, and that also provide benefits to all EBCE customers. Managing load is one tactic EBCE is employing on the road to providing 100% clean energy for all customers by 2030.
The Kaluza platform will leverage real-time price signals to enable cars to store energy during off-peak times creating 2-3GWh of flexible charging per year, thereby enabling EBCE to maximize its contracted wind and solar capacity and accelerate local system decarbonization. At scale, Kaluza forecasts demand response via EV smart charging could offset all of the domestic peak load in California, which amounts to 40% of total peak including Commercial & Industrial (C&I) demand[3] and could represent annual flexibility potential of 46GWh in the EBCE service territory.
The service marks Kaluza’s first deployment in North America - having developed a wealth of expertise with OVO Energy in the UK, AGL Energy in Australia and Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan - and is set to bring cost and carbon savings to millions more drivers in the future.
Nick Chaset, CEO at EBCE commented: “A well-managed power grid is a benefit to the entire community, both in terms of reliable electricity service and keeping prices down. Participants in EBCE Smart Charge will have a hand in directly lowering demand at peak times to increase grid resilience and lower costs for all EBCE customers.”
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About EBCE
East Bay Community Energy (EBCE) is a not-for-profit public agency that operates a Community Choice Energy program in the California Bay Area for Alameda County and fourteen incorporated cities, serving more than 1.7 million residential and commercial customers. EBCE initiated service in June 2018 and expanded to Tracy in neighboring San Joaquin County in 2021. As one of 24 community choice aggregation (CCA) programs operating in California, EBCE is part of the movement to expedite the climate action goals of their communities and those of California. EBCE is committed to providing clean power at competitive rates while reinvesting in its local communities and offering innovative energy programs. For more information about East Bay Community Energy, visit ebce.org.
About Kaluza
Kaluza is the leading intelligent energy platform powering the future of energy. From revolutionizing billing to smart electric vehicle charging, Kaluza’s technology is empowering some of the biggest energy suppliers to better serve millions of customers. Its real-time cloud platform transforms supplier operations, reducing cost to serve and boosting customer engagement. Powered by Kaluza, suppliers can invest in innovating for tomorrow’s customers and drive decarbonization with smart, low carbon technologies that not only reduce energy bills, but lay the foundations for a more flexible energy system. www.kaluza.com
Contact
Kaluza
(+44) 07534 391 793
EBCE
Dan Lieberman
[1] Through avoided generation, infrastructure reinforcement, and increasing ancillary services, The National Potential for Load Flexibility (PDF), The Brattle Group, June 2019
[2] Driver 12.5k miles a year = 2783 kWh (assuming 80% of charging happens at home) = 2226 kWh of charging at home. Charges on average anywhere between 2-5 times a week at home. Plugs in at ~5 PM and "baseline" is charge as much as possible at peak without any time of use shifting. Is on EV2 tariff for the whole year (which generates more savings than ETOUC - the other tariff in scope)
[3] Kaluza data: assumes flex capacity available from the ~14M cars (domestic + commercial e.g. taxis) is ~19GW at 1.4kW per car, and the total California summer peak load is 44GW with ~40% of that being domestic load - so ~17.5GW at peak)