Siemens has given the third generation of its VersiCharge AC chargers a boost with a new integration into Building Management Systems. The integration puts a full suite of tools into the hands of building managers, enabling a host of powerful reporting and control functionality.
Image courtesy: Siemens
Since the early days of EV charging, EV chargers have changed little. For the most part, they serve simply as conduits for electricity from the building into a vehicle, with little value being added. More recently, the addition of connectivity to cloud-based management systems and the injection of intelligence has turned these energy conduits into powerful tools for adjusting the power consumed by connected electric vehicles in response to the needs of the building and the grid.
The new Siemens VersiCharge AC chargers boast charging speeds of up to 11.5 kW, but the real improvement happens behind the scenes. Siemens added new connectivity specifically designed for three customer segments in the multi-family, workplace, and utility space. The integration enables building managers to control the chargers to ensure they do not exceed building capacity and load management targets. Connectivity also provides data via a helpful dashboard to put usage data over time into their hands.
Image courtesy: Siemens
“Modularity, scalability, and a focus on open standards are key requirements for EV Charging infrastructure. Our next-generation product is designed to help both the commercial and residential sectors realize their carbon reduction goals with a solution that can effectively grow with them over time,” said John DeBoer, head of Siemens eMobility and Future Grid Business Unit. “We’ve developed the VersiCharge AC series so that cities, businesses and individuals can make the most of what EVs have to offer now and in the years to come.”
The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) compliant charger enables communication with Siemens’ Desigo building management system and other similar solutions for a wider range of control of load management within the building. On the commercial front, building managers can leverage the connectivity of 1 or 100 VersiCharge units to throttle the collective power being consumed to fit within predefined demand management profiles. The new residential version of the VersiCharge comes with a mobile app that puts visibility and control into the hands of homeowners as they charge.
Source: Siemens
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