Sonoma Clean Power boosts ‘smart charging' for electric vehicles

Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) has announced a partnership with eMotorWerks to provide up to 1,000 free smart charging units to SCP customers while program funds last.

eMotorWerks is described by officials as a leading provider of cloud-connected, electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. For utilities, the eMotorWerks technology assists them in managing EV demand and integrating more renewable energy into the electrical mix, all while maintaining grid stability.

Customers of the not-for-profit Sonoma Clean Power may choose free of charge, between eMotorWerks' best-selling JuiceBox Pro charger or a JuicePlug EVSE adapter that converts existing, basic residential charging stations, into smart charging units. Additionally, participants can receive $250 for joining SCP's smart-grid charging rewards program.

'Today we have around 3,800 EVs in Sonoma County and anticipate 10,000 in the next three years,' said Geof Syphers, CEO of Sonoma Clean Power. 'Our partnership with eMotorWerks allows us to intelligently incorporate and communicate with these EVs on our grid. Given the continuing increase in local renewable energy resources, and the growth of EV charging, we see the opportunity to leverage the eMotorWerks technology to anticipate and modulate electrical demand to meet all of our customer's needs as critical to reliability and scalability of our services.'

The Bay Area-based eMotorWerks technology is focused on internet-enabled Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) products that are remotely connected to JuiceNet, a patented, cloud-based communication, control, and intelligence platform that dynamically matches users' historical charging patterns, real-time input, and signals from grid operators and utilities to increase grid flexibility to meet EV charging demand, as well as maximize the use of renewable power. 'Our leading smart charging technology is the perfect solution for Sonoma Clean Power's needs. By taking into account EV owners' historical charging patterns and charging configurations, that take advantage of lower-cost, off-peak electricity pricing, SCP can meet growing consumer demand for EV charging, while at the same time maintain a reliable and stable grid experience for everyone,' said Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO of eMotorWerks. 'While customers might not notice these subtle variations in charge speed, they can go a long way to making EV charging more manageable for utilities, and less expensive for customers..'

In addition, SCP customers can participate in the JuiceNet Rewards Program. JuiceNet Rewards provides cash back to participating EV drivers for charging at times when energy demand and procurement costs are high, or when renewables are in abundance, while reducing the need for emissions-heavy sources of energy. The rewards program works by keeping an EV plugged into the charger, and allowing eMotorWerks to regulate the amount of charge to match the cleanest power on the grid.

This earns the EV owner JuicePoints, while ensuring their car is at maximum charge by the time they need to use it. By conserving grid energy at these critical moments, eMotorWerks reduces grid demand when fossil fuel generated power is more likely to be used. The savings seen from grid operators are shared with eMotorWerks which are in turn shared with the EV owner.

SCP is providing the residential charging equipment at no cost. Customers are responsible for shipping/handling and installation costs, with a limit of two EVSE per electric account.