Learnings

Outcomes

Work Package one of the Temporary Event Charging project demonstrated the need for facilitating EV charging at temporary events, and confirmed that historically this has only been carried out at a few events on a very small scale.
Following the case study selection process in Work Package one, and using feedback from event organisers and stakeholders, Work Package two then carried out the solution designs for each case study and analysed its costs. This led to the following main conclusions:

• Our research and CBA has led us to the conclusion that portable BESS are the optimal power solution to supply forecast EV charging demand at temporary events.
• The BESS solution was beneficial both technically and financially when compared to the other solutions namely temporary and permanent network connections to the local 11kV network.
• New network connections to supply the forecast EV demand were found to be significantly more expensive even when a temporary event is located in close proximity to an existing primary or secondary distribution substation. The new network connection designs required the installation of secondary distribution substations and associated 11kV overhead lines (OHL) and/or cabling that was deemed cost-prohibitive for the very short duration the assets are utilised for over the year.
•  Our investigation has shown low power EV chargers (up to 7kW) are the most suitable solutions at temporary events given that EVs tend to have a long dwell time over the temporary event duration. These types of chargers can be installed and configured relatively quickly and with little disruption in a suitable parking location in proximity to the temporary event. Charging infrastructure is most easily deployed where it is surface mounted, self-weighted and interconnected with concrete and rubber cable tracks to hold the equipment safely and securely in place.
•  The location of the chargers should ideally be located for best access for the power source, either based on optimal cable connection to a substation or easiest access for the vehicles delivering the BESS. A key consideration for the installation location is ensuring access for disabled drivers is not restricted or compromised by the roll-out of on-site EV charging infrastructure.

One of the overall aims of this feasibility study was to provide recommendations on whether a future trial should be carried out. The project found that a leased BESS solution would be the most cost-effective solution for the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) as this option does not require the installation of additional network infrastructure, and event organisers who would benefit from the lowest capital and operating costs. This would likely be carried out by a third party that has the experience of installing and configuring BESS solutions. Therefore, the DNO will not have any role in the provision of the EV charging infrastructure at the event site. It has therefore been found that there is no scope for a future NIA funded trial as any future work would need to be funded directly by the events industry in coordination with their EV charging delivery partners.
Full learning and outputs from the project have been disseminated via the WPD innovation webpage reporting, allowing other DNOs to benefit from the learning generated without the need for duplication of any work. Reports produced by the project were the WP1 Case Study Selection report, WP2 Case Study Analysis and Designs report, and the closedown report.
www.westernpower.co.uk/projects/temporary-event-charging

Lessons Learnt

The key points of learning from the project have been summarised below. Further details can be found within the temporary event charging closedown report published on www.westernpower.co.uk/projects/temporary-event-charging

• On average 70% of festivalgoers travel by car. They travel between 70 and 140 miles - most travelling in an EV would need at least one charge to complete this round trip. Unlike internal combustion engine vehicles refuelling there is a need for EV charging at events due to timescales for charging and lack of availability of local charging infrastructure.
•  During COVID19 pandemic receiving engagement from events was challenging due to furloughed workers and cancelled events, where engagement did not provide all necessary data engagement with local councils and parking management companies was able to provide information.
•  Audience demographic is an important factor when considering the need for EV charging - some music festivals approached had a large number of young attendees leading to them being dropped off by parents or using public transport even if this would take a long time.
•  Distance travelled to events and ranges of EVs demonstrate that not all will need charging at the event.
•  Difficulties with insurance and logistics mean that event organisers are not willing to have fast charging with vehicles charged in stages - preference to have more slower charging points.
•  A review of existing policies has showed information relating to existing temporary connection methods for use under fault conditions including the use of a temporary 11kV substation (see standard technique SP1O for further details)
•  Requirements in P2:7 would typically suggest that anything over 1MW would require a firm supply - therefore potential need for two 11kV supplies
• If the earthing system for a temporary substation is to be left in place, a way of ensuring that this is not stolen will need to be developed - holding within a substation building may lead to problems with redundant equipment - HSE have demonstrated safety issues in the past with this.
• Existing HV metering units at an 11kV primary substation supply could be used for battery recharging solutions.
•  Depending on the number of charging points required multiple options are available for a battery storage solution. This includes trailer mounted 90kWh units and containerised 610kWh solutions.
•  Temporary concrete footings for use on connection design and EVCP installations are possible without the need for significant civil works on site. It is expected that the unit cost for these reusable footings is around £450.
•  The further away a temporary event is to the nearest 33/11kV primary substation, the higher the base case cost of traditional reinforcement i.e. to install and commission a new 11kV feeder to the event site. As the base case is a higher cost, the benefits of employing a BESS solution are greater.
•  Offering non-firm connections to events with controllable EVCP allows utilisation of the diversity in local network demand.
•  Timed connections provide significant savings in the selected case studies, but further savings can be made using battery storage and primary substation connection
•  Low power EV chargers (up to 7kW) are the most suitable solutions at temporary events given that EVs tend to have a long dwell time over the temporary event duration. These types of chargers can be installed and configured relatively quickly and with little disruption in a suitable parking location in proximity to the temporary event.
•  EV chargers should ideally be located for best access for the power source, either based on optimal cable connection to a substation or easiest access for the vehicles delivering the BESS. Another key consideration for the installation location is ensuring access for disabled drivers is not restricted or compromised by the roll-out of on-site EV charging infrastructure.