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Blink Charging deploys EV charging stations using local load management

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March 11, 2020

Blink Charging Co., an owner/operator of electric vehicle charging stations, has installed four EV charging stations utilizing local load management, the first deployment of its kind, according to a press release. The installation configuration allows up to 20 charging stations to be deployed on a single circuit. This can result in lower installation costs while also providing a fast charging experience for drivers.

The design allows equal output to each charger based on the number of stations being used at one time. When one EV is charging, the EV will receive the maximum output of nearly 20 kWh. When others connect, the load will be equally shared among them.

The system automatically redistributes the output when one vehicle completes its charge, even if it's still plugged into the station. This new functionality allows the EV charger load to be best matched with the power available at the facility, thereby minimizing installation costs and eliminating electric service upgrades.

Future upgrades will include the ability to allow up to 20 EVs to be plugged in and queued to charge overnight in sequence.

"It will change the conversation from 'Can our community afford to install them?' to 'How soon can we have them?'" Michael Farkas, Blink founder and CEO, said in the press release. "The advanced charger intelligence supports multiple charging ports while delivering the fastest level 2 charge possible. When installed on a single electric circuit, it can help minimize installation costs."

Blink's planning for, and use of, local load management responds to increased demand for EV charging infrastructure at multifamily and residential locations. Utilizing the local load management installation configuration, Blink can maximize the number of charging stations available at any given time on a single 100 amp circuit.