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THE FOUR LEVELS OF EV CHARGING ENERGY MANAGEMENT: A GUIDE TO SMARTER EV CHARGING 11 <br />How it works <br />This level expands on Panel-Integrated Management <br />by adding CT clamps to the building’s main distribution <br />panel—the primary electrical feed from the electricity <br />grid. Now the management system monitors total <br />building power consumption in real-time, enabling <br />sophisticated “peak shaving” strategies. <br />Peak shaving means keeping your building’s maximum <br />power usage below specific thresholds to avoid utility <br />demand charges. Many commercial properties pay <br />“demand charges”—fees based on their single highest <br />15-minute power usage peak during each billing cycle, <br />regardless of total monthly consumption. <br />For example: if your building normally peaks at a <br />certain level but adding EV chargers during maximum <br />air conditioning load pushes you over utility demand <br />thresholds, you could face significantly higher demand <br />charges for the entire month based on that single <br />peak—potentially adding thousands of dollars to your <br />monthly utility bill. <br />Understanding Utility <br />Demand Charges <br />Demand charges can represent 30-70% of commercial <br />electricity bills, typically calculated as: <br /> →Demand rate: Varies significantly by utility and <br />region (check your current bill or contact your utility) <br /> →Peak measurement: Your single highest 15-minute <br />average power usage during the billing cycle <br /> →Monthly application: This peak determines your <br />demand charge for the entire month <br />The impact of unmanaged EV charging: Adding <br />multiple EV charging panels without setting limits on <br />the overall consumption can create new building peaks <br />during unexpected times, potentially triggering higher <br />demand charges for months afterward. The magnitude <br />of this impact depends on your utility’s rate structure, <br />your building’s existing peak patterns, and the timing of <br />EV charging relative to other building loads. <br />Level 4 management prevents these costly peaks <br />by temporarily reducing EV charging during critical <br />periods, potentially saving substantial amounts on <br />monthly utility bills. <br />The benefits <br />Economic optimization. Properties with high demand <br />charges (typically >$10/kW) see rapid ROI through <br />avoided utility fees. The system actively manages <br />EV charging loads to keep the entire building below <br />predetermined peak thresholds. <br />Comprehensive energy strategy. This approach <br />integrates EV charging into broader building energy <br />management, opening possibilities for renewable <br />energy integration, battery storage coordination, and <br />utility demand response programs that can generate <br />additional revenue. <br />Predictive capabilities. Advanced systems learn <br />building patterns and weather correlations, pre- <br />emptively adjusting charging schedules before peak <br />events occur. <br />Technology Requirements <br /> →All components from Level 3 <br /> →Additional CT clamps at the main electrical service <br />entrance <br /> →Advanced integration capabilities with building <br />management systems (BMS) <br /> →Utility coordination for main service access <br /> →More sophisticated software with predictive <br />analytics