Assessing an EV charging site for battery energy storage: What to expect

The other piece of the puzzle that is vital if we want good results is your maximum import capacity (MIC) – this is included in your contract with your energy supplier and is the upper limit on how much energy you’re allowed to draw down from the grid. If you exceed your MIC – sometimes also known as a KVA allowance – you’re liable to face expensive surcharges on your energy bills.

In many cases, there simply isn’t any additional headroom from the local grid connection, meaning that you couldn’t get the power you’d need for these charge points without paying for the grid to be upgraded.

This is largely because when existing depots or dealerships were built, no one anticipated that the occupants would need hundreds of kilowatts of power. Before EVs came along they had relatively low energy demands – more than enough to cover lifts, power tools, roller door motors and the basics like heating and lighting.

Truck operators and dealerships will need to install high-capacity chargers sooner or later. Where Connected Energy can help is by ensuring that you add the charging infrastructure you need at the best possible price.

However, there are also opportunities to use your BESS to generate additional revenue, meaning it can deliver a better ROI. New initiatives like National Grid’s Demand Flexibility Service actually pay businesses for reducing their energy consumption during peak periods in winter when demand on our grid is at its highest. A BESS can help you participate in these schemes, generating an estimated £15,000 – £20,000 a year in extra income. Our feasibility studies can also help to calculate those returns.