Itron and PG&E Collaborate to Enable Real-Time Control of Electric Vehicle Charging with Grid Edge Intelligence
PG&E and Itron are collaborating on an innovative EV Connect program to make electric vehicle charging more accessible and affordable. The pilot program uses distributed intelligence edge computing on customers' electric meters to enable Level 2 EV charging without costly panel upgrades. This solution particularly benefits the approximately 50% of PG&E homes with 100-amp service, avoiding thousands in upgrade costs and months of waiting. The initial pilot will support up to 1,000 residential customers and is set to launch in early 2025, with broader availability planned for the second half of 2025.
PG&E e Itron stanno collaborando a un innovativo programma EV Connect per rendere la ricarica dei veicoli elettrici più accessibile ed economica. Il programma pilota utilizza il calcolo edge con intelligenza distribuita sui contatori elettrici dei clienti per abilitare la ricarica EV di Livello 2 senza costosi aggiornamenti del pannello. Questa soluzione avvantaggia particolarmente circa il 50% delle abitazioni di PG&E con servizio da 100 amp, evitando migliaia di costi di aggiornamento e mesi di attesa. Il pilota iniziale supporterà fino a 1.000 clienti residenziali ed è programmato per essere lanciato all'inizio del 2025, con una disponibilità più ampia prevista per la seconda metà del 2025.
PG&E e Itron están colaborando en un innovador programa EV Connect para hacer que la carga de vehículos eléctricos sea más accesible y asequible. El programa piloto utiliza computación de borde con inteligencia distribuida en los medidores eléctricos de los clientes para habilitar la carga EV de Nivel 2 sin costosas actualizaciones de panel. Esta solución beneficia particularmente a aproximadamente el 50% de las casas de PG&E con servicio de 100 amperios, evitando miles en costos de actualización y meses de espera. El piloto inicial apoyará hasta 1.000 clientes residenciales y está programado para lanzarse a principios de 2025, con una disponibilidad más amplia planificada para la segunda mitad de 2025.
PG&E와 Itron은 전기차 충전의 접근성과 affordability를 높이기 위해 혁신적인 EV Connect 프로그램에 협력하고 있습니다. 이 파일럿 프로그램은 고객의 전기 미터에서 분산 지능형 엣지 컴퓨팅을 사용하여 비용이 많이 드는 패널 업그레이드 없이 2단계 EV 충전을 가능하게 합니다. 이 솔루션은 100앰프 서비스가 있는 PG&E 주택의 약 50%에 특히 유용하며, 수천 달러의 업그레이드 비용과 몇 달의 대기 시간을 피할 수 있습니다. 초기 파일럿은 최대 1,000명의 주거 고객을 지원할 예정이며, 2025년 초에 시작될 예정이고, 2025년 하반기에는 더 넓은 범위로 제공될 계획입니다.
PG&E et Itron collaborent sur un programme innovant appelé EV Connect pour rendre la recharge des véhicules électriques plus accessible et abordable. Le programme pilote utilise l'informatique en périphérie avec intelligence distribuée sur les compteurs électriques des clients pour permettre une recharge EV de niveau 2 sans coûteux travaux de mise à niveau des panneaux. Cette solution profite particulièrement aux environ 50 % des maisons PG&E disposant d'un service de 100 ampères, évitant des milliers de frais de mise à niveau et des mois d'attente. Le projet pilote initial soutiendra jusqu'à 1 000 clients résidentiels et devrait être lancé au début de 2025, avec une disponibilité plus large prévue pour la seconde moitié de 2025.
PG&E und Itron arbeiten an einem innovativen EV Connect-Programm, um das Laden von Elektrofahrzeugen zugänglicher und erschwinglicher zu machen. Das Pilotprogramm nutzt Edge-Computing mit verteilter Intelligenz an den Stromzählern der Kunden, um Level 2 EV-Laden ohne kostspielige Panel-Upgrades zu ermöglichen. Diese Lösung kommt besonders den etwa 50% der PG&E-Haushalte mit einem 100-Ampere-Service zugute, wodurch Tausende an Upgrade-Kosten und monatelange Wartezeiten vermieden werden. Der erste Pilot wird bis zu 1.000 Wohnkunden unterstützen und soll Anfang 2025 starten, mit einer breiteren Verfügbarkeit, die für die zweite Hälfte von 2025 geplant ist.
- Program eliminates thousands of dollars in customer upgrade costs for Level 2 EV charging
- Technology enables 15x faster charging compared to standard wall outlets
- Solution addresses needs of approximately 50% of PG&E's residential customers
- Initial pilot targets 1,000 customers with potential for broader rollout
- initial scope of 1,000 customers
- Program launch delayed until 2025
- Full program expansion dependent on pilot success
Insights
This innovative collaboration represents a significant technological breakthrough in EV charging infrastructure. The pilot program addresses a critical market barrier by eliminating the need for costly panel upgrades, which typically cost
The potential market impact is substantial, considering that approximately
This partnership strategically positions PG&E at the forefront of EV infrastructure modernization. The program addresses a significant market pain point by reducing both cost barriers and installation delays for residential EV charging. The real value proposition lies in the scalability - if successful, this solution could be implemented across PG&E's entire service area and potentially licensed to other utilities.
For investors, this represents PG&E's commitment to grid modernization and sustainable revenue growth through EV infrastructure. The timing aligns well with accelerating EV adoption trends and regulatory pushes for electrification. While the immediate financial impact may be modest, the long-term potential for recurring revenue from increased electricity consumption and grid services is substantial.
Innovative EV Connect Program Makes EV Charging More Accessible and Affordable for Customers
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. and
As part of exploring ways to modernize its electric meter network, PG&E is working with Itron on a customer-focused pilot to develop and test the management of EV charging loads in real-time, with the goal of significantly lowering the barrier for customers to charge their EV at home by avoiding the need for costly customer electric panel and service upgrades.
"In collaboration with Itron and our EV solution providers, PG&E is working to give more of our customers access to faster charging at home through a safe and affordable alternative to panel and service upgrades. This solution makes EV adoption easier because customers can avoid out-of-pocket expenses and get faster Level 2 EV charging immediately, while keeping vehicle charging within safe grid limits," said Mike Delaney, Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation, PG&E.
Typically, a Level 2 EV charger requires a 200-amp service to the customer's home. A Level 2 charger is up to 15 times faster than plugging into a standard wall outlet and allows drivers to fill an all-electric vehicle from empty overnight. If a customer has 100-amp service, which is the case for about half of the existing homes in PG&E's service area, upgrading to a 200-amp panel and service can cost customers thousands of dollars and take months to complete.
Unlike typical cloud-only software-based integrations that exchange information only a few times a day, the EV Connect program is unique in that it uses distributed intelligence (DI) edge computing that operates on a customer's electric meter directly. This on-meter application connects to, and coordinates with, the customer's EV charger to keep charging within their panel and utility grid limits. The combined solution enables a customer to avoid the cost of panel and service upgrades while still being able to install and operate faster Level 2 EV charging at home.
The innovative EV Connect program is the first of its kind and combines elements of consumer engagement, advanced edge compute capabilities and broad industry collaboration to provide a cost-effective, consumer-friendly, secure end-to-end solution that increases access to electric vehicle charging for PG&E's customers.
"The EV Connect collaboration with our longtime customer, PG&E, illustrates the possibilities of Itron's Grid Edge Intelligence portfolio. The utility can deploy additional capabilities to its existing Itron communications network to enable intelligence at the grid edge and help end-use customers avoid the financial burden and wait time associated with upgrading service panels and residential service conductors," said Don Reeves, senior vice president of Outcomes at Itron. "This is just one example of the possibilities for distributed energy resource management enabled by Itron's technology platform. By deploying grid edge intelligence, we can help consumers and utilities avoid costly upgrades whatever the source of the demand, such as thermostats, water heaters, appliances, pool pumps, photovoltaic inverters and more."
The initial scope of the EV Connect pilot program will support up to 1,000 residential customers who currently own or are considering purchasing an EV and have panel or service limitations that prevent them from installing a Level 2 EV charger at home. PG&E will replace customers' existing electric SmartMeters™ with Itron Riva meters, enabling them to immediately install and utilize Level 2 chargers available within the program. PG&E and Itron plan to launch the new pilot offering in early 2025, with larger availability in the second half of 2025.
Depending on learnings and the success of the pilot program, PG&E will evaluate extending the program to be broadly available on an ongoing basis.
Itron is demonstrating the EV Connect application at PG&E's 2024 Innovation Summit on Nov. 13, 2024 in
Media can access videos, still photos and news releases from the Innovation Summit here: 2024 PG&E Innovation Summit - Multimedia Access Link
More details about the EV Connect program will be available on the PG&E website in early 2025.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than sixteen million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and
About Itron
Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us: www.itron.com.
Itron and the Itron Logo are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/itron-and-pge-collaborate-to-enable-real-time-control-of-electric-vehicle-charging-with-grid-edge-intelligence-302304572.html
SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company
FAQ
When will PG&E's EV Connect program launch?
How many customers will PG&E's EV Connect pilot program support?
How much faster is Level 2 EV charging compared to standard outlets in PG&E's program?
What percentage of PG&E homes could benefit from the EV Connect program?
