As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy grows, PG&E's Flex Connect program is becoming a pivotal solution for accelerating grid connections in California. At least it has the potential. This innovative initiative helps overcome capacity constraints in areas with limited grid resources, especially for high-demand facilities like EV charging stations, data centers, and large electricity users.
Solving Grid Bottlenecks with PG&E's Flex Connect
The Flex Connect program from PG&E addresses a growing issue in California—how to get new electrical loads connected to the grid, particularly in areas where capacity is constrained. EV charging stations are among the major beneficiaries of this program, as many large-scale charging hubs face years of waiting time to connect to the grid due to the lengthy process of upgrading infrastructure. Flex Connect allows these sites to connect to the grid faster by agreeing to limit their energy usage during peak periods, especially in the summer months when grid demand is at its highest.
By optimizing grid resources through flexible load management, Flex Connect enables quicker connections without the need for major grid upgrades. This means that EV charging stations and other electricity-intensive businesses can begin operations sooner and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable grid
How PG&E's Flex Connect Works for EV Charging
PG&E's Flex Connect program offers customers flexible service agreements that allow them to access grid capacity based on real-time conditions, instead of being constrained by traditional planning based on worst-case scenarios. This system provides a much more dynamic approach to energy usage, particularly important for EV charging hubs that need flexibility during peak demand hours.
Example:
- Traditional grid connection: The utility customer gets 100% of the agreed grid capacity all day and 265 days per year.
- Flex Connect: The utility customer accesses only 80% from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 100% from 10 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Through PG&E’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS), the utility can forecast grid conditions and allocate grid capacity on an hourly basis. This allows businesses to stay operational without overloading local grid resources.
Overcoming Grid Challenges with Ampcontrol
Ampcontrol will plays a vital role in enabling the Flex Connect program by providing reliable technology that helps balance energy usage and adhere to grid constraints. Ampcontrol's AmpEdge controller is designed to help EV charging stations and other high-demand sites manage their power usage in real-time, ensuring they stay within grid limits and respond to utility commands.
Over the past years, as been working with utilities, regulators, and UL to support the integration of advanced technologies that make EV charging more reliable and accessible. The AmpEdge controller helps facilities manage energy use effectively and has been deployed in California since early 2024.
Benefits of Flex Connect for EV Charging and Large Customers
The Flex Connect program is not limited to EV charging stations but also supports data centers, large distribution facilities, and other heavy electricity users. Ampcontrol has helped companies like WattEV deploy charging infrastructure for electric vehicle fleets and manage their energy usage within grid limits. By utilizing the AmpEdge controller and Ampcontrol Cloud, customers can connect to the grid faster and continue their operations without waiting for costly and time-consuming grid upgrades.
The AmpEdge controller also supports industry standards like Modbus, MQTT, and OCPP, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of energy management systems. This flexibility allows Ampcontrol to support EV charging hubs, bus operators, and other large facilities in overcoming grid constraints and managing their energy usage effectively.
The Future of PG&E's Flex Connect and EV Charging
Looking ahead, PG&E aims to standardize the Flex Connect program to make it available to more customers. The long-term goal is to streamline the process for EV charging stations and other large customers to connect to the grid quickly and efficiently, without the delays of traditional infrastructure upgrades. This approach will ultimately benefit consumers by ensuring EV charging stations can meet growing demand while helping to manage energy costs.
By facilitating faster grid connections, PG&E's Flex Connect program could help reduce the pressure on the existing grid and make it easier for EV charging stations to expand, providing a cleaner and more sustainable solution for the future of transportation.
Conclusion: The Role of Flex Connect in Shaping the Future of EV Charging
PG&E's Flex Connect program is an essential initiative for overcoming grid bottlenecks and enabling the rapid growth of EV charging stations and other large electricity users. Through real-time load management, PG&E offers businesses the ability to access grid capacity faster while reducing strain on the system. Partners like Ampcontrol play a key role in making this technology accessible and reliable, ensuring that businesses can meet their energy needs while contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable grid.
As the EV charging market grows, Flex Connect will become an increasingly important tool in facilitating faster connections and reducing infrastructure delays, helping California stay on track with its clean energy goals.
