When planning to integrate an electric vehicle energy management system (EVEMS), building managers have two main approaches to choose from, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. It is also useful to know the types of EVEMS available on the market.
The different approaches
To implement an EVEMS, property managers can choose between purchasing the system outright or subscribing to an energy management service. The choice between these options will have an impact on the initial investment, recurring costs, and operational management.
Purchasing the system
This approach involves purchasing and installing all the necessary equipment for monitoring, analysis, and control on site. The major benefit of this option is that there are no recurring monthly fees after the initial investment. On the other hand, the initial purchase cost is generally higher. This offers complete autonomy over the system once it is in place.
Energy management service
Unlike purchasing, this approach combines on-site devices for monitoring and control with an external service that provides analysis. The main advantage is a lower initial investment, which can make it easier to get the project off the ground. However, this model involves recurring monthly subscription fees after the initial purchase. This solution may be attractive to managers who prefer to delegate the complexity of analysis and benefit from ongoing support.
In short, when planning multi-unit charging, the EVEMS approach dictates the strategy. You choose either to be the project manager of your system or to partner with a service provider to manage the complexity.