Ludhiana: Large-scale charging of EVs at night putting extra load on power transmission system

The charging of electric vehicles, including e-rickshaws, electric cars and battery-operated two-wheelers simultaneously at night, is reported to have compounded the already existing load on transformers and conductors due to unauthorised installation of air-conditioners and other electrical appliances.

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However, the authorities in the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) have claimed that necessary provisions are being made from time to time to resolve issues related to permanent or temporary installation of additional electrical appliances that are unaccounted, potentially leading to drop in voltage, overloading and even transformer failure, particularly in urban areas.

Drop in voltage, overloading and transformer failures are common problems in urban areas during summer months due to increased demand for electricity caused by high temperature and increased use of air-conditioners and other cooling appliances, which put more load on the transmission system.

Despite proactive measures taken by the PSPCL ahead of the summer, the maintenance staff remain on their toes, undertaking repair of burnt out transmission systems including fuses, conductors and transformers.

According to field staff posted in urban localities of the region, hundreds of electric vehicles including e-rickshaws, cars and battery-operated two-wheelers are also put for charging simultaneously during night hours. Illegal charging from plugs installed at public places is also not ruled out.

President of the PSPCL Employees Union Ashu Bains said there had been a steep rise in the number of electric vehicles including private cars and scooters besides commercial e-rickshaws during past years, but most owners of these vehicles have not bothered to get their sanctioned load enhanced accordingly.

Payal, Malaudh, Kup Kalan, Raikot, Dehlon, Barundi, Sihar, Kilaraipur, Gujjarwal, Pakhowal and Kanganwal, besides Ahmedgarh were cited among the areas where the number of fossil fuel-run vehicles is being replaced with electric vehicles persistently.

PSPCL Pensioners’ Association president Sukhcharanjit Sharma said the focus should be on upgrading infrastructure, implementing smart charging solutions and addressing illegal charging practices to ensure reliable and stable power supply for all consumers, including present and potential users of electrical vehicles.

Senior Executive Engineer Amandeep Singh Khangura acknowledged the tendency and claimed that adequate arrangements had been made to accommodate additional load on the transmission system due to simultaneous charging of electric vehicles in various localities of the region.

“Though the rate of power consumption of individual vehicles is not high, simultaneous charging of storage batteries can cause potential drop in voltage and overloading in congested areas,” said Khangura, maintaining that periodic revamping of infrastructure, including conductors, had been transformed by provisioning 10 per cent increase in load annually. It had minimised the issues related to increased demand for power in summer.