EV Points

Ducting has been laid to 9 points to provide for twin sockets that will cover all spaces if necessary. The intention is to provide a DLM (dynamic load management) system such that the 80A per phase will never be exceeded and priority can be set. The units will have RFID that will allow billing.

Assuming single-phase, 6 "sockets" (in BS 7671 "charging points") per phase, I would see this as a wholly acceptable option, as:

(a) The minimum allowance for a charging point is 10 A per phase (see IET CoP for reasoning, but basically at least 10 A per single-phase point is required to actually charge most EVs).

(b) "Diversity" is permitted in BS 7671, and this includes for "load curtailment".

(c) When there is power available from the system, provided 7 kW "active load curtailment" EVSE is installed, then the individual charging points meet the 7 kW requirement.

Whilst this appears to be satisfactory, the supply MUST be able to provide the 80A continuously 24/7 for it to actually comply. Therefore the building supply must provide for this plus the diversified load of 12 flats, which if have electric cooking or heating probably ought to be considered at 30 A each or another 120A per phase. The minimum supply needs to be 200A, but I wonder if it is? I suspect that it is 100A 3 ph, which would work for the flats alone but would not work with the charging points at all unless the TOTAL load is monitored for curtailment.

I am fairly unhappy with this load curtailment idea anyway, if I wanted to use my car I expect it to be fully charged, and this could well fail very badly. Finding my car at 25% on a cold day when I have to drive 250 miles would be a disaster, the idea that people do not use cars much comes from a city-oriented mindset that is not representative.

I will tell you why this "public transport" idea does not work. I wanted to go by train from Bristol to London on 29th of January with my partner. I looked to book but the price is astronomical. We can go standing class for about £300 return, or first for only £700! I call it standing class because there are NO bookable seats! By car, it would cost me a small fraction of this, even with huge parking charges, recently about £70 per day in central London. Of course, I would need a fully charged car so could not trust this system above. Brunel would turn in his grave, and even I have difficulty not doing so, particularly as roads in Bristol have been closed for 2 years due to alleged "electrification", which will be slower than the HS125s we used to have (60 minutes door to door). This minor "upgrade" is taking longer than the original building of the line, so much for progress!

Whilst this appears to be satisfactory, the supply MUST be able to provide the 80A continuously 24/7 for it to actually comply. Therefore the building supply must provide for this plus the diversified load of 12 flats, which if have electric cooking or heating probably ought to be considered at 30 A each or another 120A per phase. The minimum supply needs to be 200A, but I wonder if it is? I suspect that it is 100A 3 ph, which would work for the flats alone but would not work with the charging points at all unless the TOTAL load is monitored for curtailment.

I am fairly unhappy with this load curtailment idea anyway, if I wanted to use my car I expect it to be fully charged, and this could well fail very badly. Finding my car at 25% on a cold day when I have to drive 250 miles would be a disaster, the idea that people do not use cars much comes from a city-oriented mindset that is not representative.

I will tell you why this "public transport" idea does not work. I wanted to go by train from Bristol to London on 29th of January with my partner. I looked to book but the price is astronomical. We can go standing class for about £300 return, or first for only £700! I call it standing class because there are NO bookable seats! By car, it would cost me a small fraction of this, even with huge parking charges, recently about £70 per day in central London. Of course, I would need a fully charged car so could not trust this system above. Brunel would turn in his grave, and even I have difficulty not doing so, particularly as roads in Bristol have been closed for 2 years due to alleged "electrification", which will be slower than the HS125s we used to have (60 minutes door to door). This minor "upgrade" is taking longer than the original building of the line, so much for progress!

An aside on public transportation. Bielefeld-Cologne is further than Temple Meads-Paddington. Standard price just under €100 return second class; €50 if you shell out once a year for a "Bahncard 50" at €230 which halves the cost of any ticket. (Price is per travelled km.)

I used to be able to get to Bristol by rail from Bielefeld for less than €200 return. (Every couple of years for a conference.) I had to have luck on a €130 ticket to London St. Pancras (it more often cost me €180+), but then Bristol was an add-on €50. As was Oxford, York, Edinburgh......  

Have you tried flying? :-)