RCA opens EV charging station docket
Alan Bailey for Petroleum News
Having recently approved initial electric utility tariffs for the supply of electricity to commercial high-speed electric vehicle charging stations in Alaska, during a June 8 public meeting the Regulatory Commission of Alaska opened a new docket, for the purpose of gathering information about the performance of charging station electricity supplies. The idea is to monitor how the actual charging station electricity supply parameters compare with what was proposed in the approved tariffs. There is currently no track record of commercial high speed electric vehicle charging station operations in Alaska.
The newly approved tariffs take account of the fact that electric vehicle charging stations tend to put high demand loads on the electrical system for relatively short periods of time when vehicles are being charged. Under a normal commercial electricity tariff, these shorts bursts of high loads would trigger demand charges that could render the charging stations uneconomic. So, the utilities have electric vehicle charging station tariffs in which the demand charges do not kick in, provided that the charging station load factors remain below some specified level.
The newly instigated information docket would require annual reporting from the utilities on the actual load factors associated with commercial charging station operation. This will enable the commission to ensure that the rate structure is working as envisaged and that the electricity supply rates are reasonable. The commission will also require reporting on any instances where a utility has refused service to a charging station operator.
The initial charging station tariffs have been approved on a 10-year interim basis. However, if the actual data associated with charging station operations differ significantly from what was assumed in the approved tariff filings, the commission may require new tariff filings, making appropriate adjustments to the rate determinations.
- ALAN BAILEY
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