Odot
Odot reduces your energy costs through a unique procurement model, supported by AI and innovative software. Our knowledge of the energy market, assures you the most advantageous tariffs, continuous price monitoring and a contract that suits you.
At a time when electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and sustainability is high on the agenda, installing charging stations is a smart investment for companies and organisations. However, the success of such an investment depends heavily on the ability to accurately calculate and manage costs and returns. From our position as a partner in Energy Accounting, Odot sees that many companies struggle with this challenge, as the market does not yet provide sufficient tools and insights to do so.
In this article, we will discuss key costs when installing charging stations, as well as strategies to maximise revenues using detailed energy accounting.
1. Cost aspects when planning a charging station installation.
When planning a charging station installation, investors should consider various cost aspects for an accurate investment estimate. This includes initial installation costs such as the purchase of hardware (such as charging poles) and electricity modifications, as well as software costs for billing and balancing. Comparing offers requires expertise to evaluate all relevant aspects, including public versus private use, maintenance contracts and licence fees. There are also costs related to energy consumption to consider:
(a) Energy purchase price:
The purchase price of energy is a crucial cost in vehicle charging. Making an accurate estimate requires more than just a one-off comparison of energy quotes. Different energy contracts with various price terms, changes in energy suppliers over time, fluctuations between fixed and variable tariffs, varying grid costs in different locations: all these factors come into play.
It is essential to calculate the exact cost price per MWh, taking into account all these aspects at any time. This requires in-depth expertise in energy contracts and changing market dynamics. Without this specialised knowledge, it is almost impossible to control costs effectively.
(b) Grid costs:
The energy demand of your charge points also affects grid costs. The higher the power taken from the grid, the higher the costs will be. It is important to take into account the local grid infrastructure and any costs for adapting the infrastructure to deliver the desired power capacity. In addition, peak power can lead to higher costs, so it is important to invest in monitoring tools and power control to control these costs.
Now that we have an overall picture of the total cost of installation, we are looking at how to use these insights to maximise yield.
2. How to maximise your returns?
Selecting the right charging stations and hardware options is critical to maximising the yield of a charging station installation. By investing in high-quality and efficient hardware that is reliable and durable, one can optimise the performance and lifetime of the system. In order to maximise yield, a thorough comparison between different suppliers and hardware options, and outlining a thoughtful energy procurement strategy is essential.
(a) Smart energy procurement:
By sourcing your energy smartly and considering all aspects of the energy contract, you can avoid unexpected costs and optimise the total cost of energy consumption. In addition, strategically exploiting pricing opportunities on the market and whether or not to fix prices in the future is crucial to maximise ROI on your charging stations.
Tools in energy accounting that monitor your consumption and costs, and provide insight down to the quarterly level can be a fantastic help in this regard. Last year, Odot developed an extension to its my.Odot application, which allows us to make the right analyses for our customers in a simple way.
This innovative tool, supported by AI, establishes a direct link between quarter-hourly consumption and the exact cost of energy. This includes all relevant cost factors, such as green certificates, supplier surcharges, distribution costs and more. Thanks to the combination of data and the in-depth expertise of our colleagues, investors can develop strategies to optimise their energy consumption and save costs, ultimately leading to increased profitability of their charging station infrastructure.
(b) Monitoring grid costs:
Proactive monitoring of grid costs and power control can help optimise yields by reducing peak power and minimising grid costs. By investing in advanced monitoring tools and power control, installers can improve operational efficiency and control the overall cost of grid consumption. For example, instead of offering full power, you can factor into your cost calculations a certain amount of power that can go to your charging poles. A reduction of 100 kW of power quickly saves several thousand euros a year.
(c) Dynamic pricing:
Setting tariffs that fluctuate with the cost of energy can provide certainty to installers that each MWh is profitable. By taking into account market conditions and competition, installers can adjust their pricing strategies to maximise revenues and maintain competitive advantage. For example, you can ensure that an MWh is not loss-making, but smartly set the price per MWh according to costs.
Conclusion
Accurately calculating costs and revenues when installing charging stations is essential for a successful investment. Experts in Energy Accounting like Odot, supported by innovative tools, can provide investors with detailed insights that help them avoid surprises and maximise profits. By using advanced hardware, smart energy procurement strategies and effective network management, installers can maximise their returns and make their investments pay off in the long term.