Back to Articles
If electric vehicles are the future, how will that affect the electricity demands of a site?
Eleanor Wratten \ 18th Oct 2019
Last year, the Government announced it was consulting on proposals to ensure that all new-build homes should be fitted with an electric vehicle (EV) charge point. The current proposed polices are:
- Every new residential building with an associated car parking space to have a charge point
- Every residential building undergoing major renovation with more than 10 car parking spaces to have cable routes for EV charge points in every car parking space.
- Every new non-residential building and every non-residential building undergoing major renovation with more than 10 car parking spaces to have one charge point and cable routes for an EV charge point for one in five spaces.
Assuming these proposals go ahead developers will need to consider at an early stage the implications this will have on the electricity capacity requirements for their development.
Domestic capacity requirements
Currently, a typical gas-heated home on a large development of 500 homes, for example, would need an allowance of 2kVa after diversity. Peak diversified demand for the scheme would be in the order of 1MVa total, which would require one new dedicated distribution substation onsite to serve the development. As a rule of thumb, you could expect a new substation to cost in the region of £35,000 - £60,000 depending on location and other infrastructure requirements in the area. This cost could be significantly higher where network reinforcement is required or if the site is remote.
Once we start factoring in EV charge points, this load demand starts creeping up very quickly. This is before we even consider the move towards the electrification of heat.
EV charge points come in a few different power ratings, depending on how fast they charge a car:
Most homes are likely to be fitted with a 3.5kW or 7kW rated charge point as these need a standard single-phase supply that is installed in domestic properties. Using our example of a new 500 home development, this could lead to a more than doubling of electrical demand to the development to support the charge points.
Very quickly, the development might need two or even three substations instead of one. This not only triples the cost of the new connection but also takes up valuable developable land inside the development.
Transition to electrification of energy
Legislation changes are encouraging a transition to electrification so that the UK can meet its climate and carbon targets, and so consequently we need to look at smarter ways to bring energy to the site and reduce the connection demand needed from the National Grid. For example, combining solar PV and battery storage in each home, which can then be used to help charge electric vehicles. There are a number of installers and energy companies looking at these innovations and incorporating ‘time of use’ tariffs so that homeowners can benefit from off-peak electricity prices to charge their cars, providing a financial saving whilst also helping with balancing the grid at times of peak demand.
Most domestic users are likely to come home and charge their vehicle over night during off-peak hours, which will help balance the peaks and troughs of electricity demand. There are also innovations being looked at for vehicle to grid charging, where car batteries are connected to the national grid and stored energy can be taken from the car and into the grid where needed. This is known as Demand Side Response (DSR).
As more and more local authorities are declaring climate emergencies and planning policy is responding to reflect this, we are seeing developers needing to consider alternative ways to power their site rather than relying solely on a standard grid connection.
Using our expertise in utilities and smart energy at Hydrock, we’re able to provide guidance on suitable options for developments, looking at a range of factors including financial costs/incentives and carbon targets. This can include funded delivery options in addition to potential revenue schemes.
This article was originally published by Eleanor Wratten on LinkedIn.
Explore related
- Articles
James McNay comments in RICS Built Environment Journal: Compliance with guidance may prompt safety complacency
Read more
- News
Sadaf Askari comments in Institutional Real Estate Europe: How can investors navigate regulatory constraints and drive sustainability?
Read more
- News
Mark Walker comments in Green Street News: Could healthcare revive the heartbeat of our high streets?
Read more
- News
Hydrock assists GRAHAM in achieving industry accreditation for carbon management system
Read more
- News
Lights, Camera, Action! Sunderland gets set for Hollywood with planning approval of Crown Works Studios
Read more- News
Ground-breaking study provides valuable insight into construction innovation in north east England
Read more
- Articles
How the London Plan sets the example for consistency in climate-related policy making
Read more
- Articles
Decarbonise for less: unleash the cost-saving power of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
Read more
- News
Sadaf Askari comments in BE News: EPCs are a blunt instrument in a very large toolbox
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s fire safety experts support planning application for new R&A project in St Andrews
Read more
- News
Leading the way: Hydrock crowned Engineering Consultant of the Year at Building awards
Read more
- Articles
Our Time to Lead session: The higher education sector and the Building Safety Act
Read more
- Articles
Building safety regulations: Time to Lead — Can the building industry regulate itself?
Read more
- News
Hydrock brings expertise to NHS estates programme to help meet sustainability and safety goals
Read more- Articles
Why 'just add mass' is no longer an acoustic solution in a carbon conscious world
Read more
- Articles
Navigating the electrifying world of EV charging investments: Making 'big data’ central to due diligence
Read more
- News
Ground-breaking land contamination conceptual model paves the way to a cleaner and safer future at Sellafield
Read more
- News
Data centres, fire risk and the digital golden thread of information: Hydrock contributes to Fire Middle East
Read more- News
Peter Sibley comments in Building Magazine: Will Sunak’s ‘plan for growth’ be a magnet for future investment?
Read more- News
Hydrock’s award-winning streak set to continue with multiple shortlistings at Insider South West Property Awards 2023
Read more
- Articles
Why the UK government’s case for investment in new oil and gas production is flawed
Read more- News
James McNay joins HSE Industry Competence Committee (ICC) to guide safer building construction for everyone
Read more- News
Hydrock shortlisted for Consultancy of the Year at Insider Yorkshire Property Awards 2023
Read more
- News
Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day 2023: A journey of empowerment and growth
Read more
- News
Hydrock strengthens national MEP division with new healthcare sector lead: Accelerating innovation in sustainable healthcare engineering
Read more
- Articles
A two-tier system? Why we must embrace the digital golden thread across the built environment
Read more
- Articles
Mark Pearce comments in Fleetworld: How can ChargeUK enable fleets to go electric with confidence
Read more- News
Hydrock bolsters transport planning offer with acquisition of Fore Consulting Limited
Read more
- News
Ric Hampton comments in Property Week: The state of the UK’s film and TV studio market
Read more
- Articles
The Building Safety Act's second staircase consultation: the easy way out for politicians as well as residents?
Read more
- News
Hydrock shortlisted for Insider North West Property Awards in its silver anniversary year
Read more
- Articles
NHS Trusts need to be ‘fund-ready’ to maximise Government’s decarbonisation support
Read more- Articles
The Building Safety Act: Is the building industry sleepwalking into a new regulatory regime?
Read more
- Articles
Interview: Ric Hampton appointed to Bristol Nights Advisory Board to support nightlife & culture
Read more- News
Building with Nature accreditation emphasises importance of green and blue infrastructure
Read more- News
Hydrock ranks #2 nationally and #1 regionally in three Best Companies 2023 league tables!
Read more
- Articles
Hydrock comments in Building: The Building Safety Act and what the second staircase rule would mean for high-rise blocks
Read more
- Articles
Hydrock roundtable: Diversity and access to careers in the built environment sector
Read more
- News
Hydrock joins Task Group for delivery of UK’s first Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
Read more
- Articles
Hydrock comments in Building: Strong and stable? This government is anything but when it comes to energy infrastructure
Read more
- News
Hydrock adds leading technical specialist to its civil and structural team in Yorkshire
Read more
- News
Zuzanna Bialkowska awarded ‘Up-and-Coming Fire Engineer’ of the year by The Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Read more
- News
Hydrock shortlisted for Engineering Consultant of the Year at the Building Awards 2022
Read more
- News
Hydrock appointed to deliver catheterisation scanner suite at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Read more
- News
Extreme heat: how UK buildings and infrastructure are dangerously ill-equipped to cope
Read more
- News
Simon Cole joins Hydrock as leading technical specialist for Geo-Environmental and Geotechnical division
Read more
- News
Hydrock selected for specialist public sector consultancy framework in the North East
Read more
- News
Hydrock's Acoustics division joins industry-recognised Association of Noise Consultants
Read more
- News
Hydrock nets geo-environmental and geo-technical role on multi-million-pound Belle Vue Academy site
Read more
- News
Hydrock support successful planning application to extend Western Community Hospital in Southampton
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s Civil & Structural engineering team appointed on next stages of £104m Patchworks development
Read more
- News
Hydrock supports feasibility and planning application on Grade II listed buildings in Leeds
Read more- News
Shortlisted for Consultancy of the year at the Insider Wales Property Awards for second year running
Read more- News
Fire Risk Management team secure industry-recognised fire risk assessment accreditation
Read more
- News
Hydrock celebrates seventh consecutive year in UK’s 100 Best Large Companies to Work For
Read more- News
Hydrock & KTA logistics specialists advise on 1m sq ft reserved matters application at Magna Park North
Read more
- News
Double hire for Hydrock as experts in data centres and building physics join the business
Read more
- News
Civils & Structures team move to detailed design with Mi-space on 4.65ha Barne Barton site
Read more- News
Former KPMG Partner and Board Member, Ronnie McCombe joins Hydrock as Non-Exec Chairman
Read more
- News
Industry-leading clean energy specialist joins Hydrock to power growth of Smart Energy & Sustainability business
Read more
- News
Hydrock secures appointment on Higher Activity Waste framework through Accord Consortium
Read more- News
Hydrock advising BoKlok – the Skanska and IKEA joint venture modular housing business
Read more
- News
Hydrock on the strategic masterplan team for Cyber Central Garden Community, Cheltenham
Read more
- News
Hydrock's multi-disciplinary expertise helps unlock massive residential site in Bristol
Read more
- Articles
What do proposed changes to building regulations mean for energy efficiency standards?
Read more
- News
Rapidly expanding Smart Energy team hires international expert in decentralised energy
Read more
- News
Hydrock Nuclear divisional director, Peter Sibley, appointed to Nuclear Industry Council
Read more
- News
Stunning new headquarters for English National Ballet unveiled by London mayor, Sadiq Khan
Read more
- News
Hydrock provides engineering services to transform Grade II* listed Cleveland Pools lido in Bath
Read more
- News
INWED 2019 – a site visit to The Wave, Bristol, inspires local schoolgirls about engineering
Read more
- News
Transport team contribute to successful planning submission to revive Andrew Gibson House, Merseyside
Read more
- News
From History Graduate to Utilities Consultant: My unexpected route into engineering (as a girl)
Read more
- News
Multi-disciplinary advice helps secure planning for landmark footbridge in Pontypridd
Read more
- News
Ground investigation work contributes to planning application for 282 homes in Stretford, Manchester
Read more
- News
Hydrock helps secure planning for refurbishment of historic Generator Building, Bristol
Read more
- News
Civil and structural design underway for new homes on former Nestlé site in west London
Read more
- News
Ground-breaking initiative to provide affordable housing to transform lives of Bristol’s young homeless
Read more
- Articles
The balance of power - meeting unpredictable future energy demands in a rapidly changing environment
Read more
- News
The University of the West of England (UWE) appoints Hydrock to design new multimillion pound engineering building
Read more- News
Hydrock supports Linkcity with planning submission for 375 new homes in central Bristol
Read more
- News
Double win at RICS South West Awards: Commercial Project of the Year and Building Conservation Award
Read more
- News
Hydrock wins ‘Best Place to Work’ at inaugural Construction Investing in Talent Awards
Read more
- News
Delivering key infrastructure assessments for proposed strategic rail freight interchange
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s highways and infrastructure advice helps secure planning approval for 345,000 sq ft industrial unit at CORE 42
Read more
- News
Hydrock appointed to appraise transport issues within historic Porthcurno Valley, Cornwall
Read more
- News
Hydrock’s transportation team help secure planning on 400-bed student scheme in Bournemouth
Read more- News
Hydrock delivers the multi-disciplinary engineering design on two middle schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Read more- News
Kier appoints Hydrock to design Bristol Aerospace Centre – the permanent home for Concorde
Read more
- News
Daniel Beynon joins Hydrock in Cardiff as Technical Director for Building Performance Engineering
Read more- News
Appointed to support the delivery of world-class resources for the UK’s agri-tech sector
Read more
- News
Steel frame designed for Bright Bricks’ 160,000 piece LEGO® version of the Soyuz Capsule
Read more
- News
Hydrock appointed by John Sisk & Son Ltd to deliver works on Manchester Life development
Read more- News
Acoustic engineering capability further strengthens Hydrock's building design services
Read more
- Articles