ET24SWE0063 - Electrification Enablement via Load Balancing Solutions Focus Pilot

Electrification is one of the primary avenues for decarbonization within California. A barrier to home electrification is cost and time delays associated with the perceived need to upsize electrical panels and utility services to accommodate new electrical loads. Increasing household peak electric demand also leads to increased grid infrastructure, such as replacement of transformers, distribution wires and additional generation increasing future costs for all ratepayers. The need to upsize panels can result from physical space (i.e., are there enough breaker slots?) and/or electrical load constraints (i.e., is there enough power or amperage capacity?) in currently installed panels. These constraints are most common in homes with electrical panels rated ≤100A (amps). There are load balancing products available which allow additional electrification without the need for an electrical panel upgrade. As a result, these technology solutions may be more applicable for most panel-constrained homes. Below are the possible technology categories that will be the focus of this focused pilot 

• Circuit splitters (circuit level and outlet level) are devices which split the existing 240V circuit into two identical ports. They are beneficial for existing 240V outlets where common loads are electrical dryer, EV charger(s), heat pump water heaters, and split heat pumps.  
• Smart circuit breakers and relays are internet-connected devices that monitor and control electrical systems. They can be controlled with an app to remotely turn on and off breakers and schedule loads to be on during off peak electricity peak demand. 
• Smart panels are electrical panels which use load management to reduce the need for upgrading the electrical service. Most common residential electrical panels are 100 Amps. Utilizing a smart panel reduces the cost and time of upgrading the panel to 150A or 200A.   
• Meter collars (known as a meter socket adapter) are installed between the residential electrical meter and the meter socket. They help to reduce the need for electrical panel upgrades. Current models for onsite PV generation and EV charging. 

These new technologies can foster electrification without expensive panel upgrades, service upgrades, or transformer upgrades. However, there is no comprehensive research that helps the market identify the right installation applications for these technologies. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that 30% of detached single-family homes may require panel upgrades for electrification retrofits. The Level 2 EV charger is the first or second most common reason for service upgrades, according to contractors and utility data. The Residential Electric Panel Upgrade Survey (2023)(https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=db7ebfef876f6ef3JmltdHM9MTcyMTI2MDgwMCZp… ) estimates that 21% of homes in West region were 100 Amps or less and 30% are 151-200 Amps. The 100A panels are much more common in pre-1960 homes (39%) and small homes (1500 sq ft or less, 30-39%). 54% of homes in West region had 2 or fewer open breaker slots (29% had 0).  

In this “electrification enablement with load balancing solutions” focused pilot, we will leverage existing load balancing/electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) installations to understand, if customers are using load balancing technologies optimally and if not what technological options they have available for additional electrification technologies. We will then demonstrate optimal setups for dual appliance usage/load balancing controls to manage loads within existing panel capacity for additional home electrification measure adoption. In addition to piloting additional electrification through demonstrations, this study will help with customer and workforce awareness. Here are the research questions we will be addressing: 

• Do load balancing technologies (circuit splitters, smart breakers, smart panels, meter collars etc.) help enable additional electrification measures where at least one measure is in the garage and mitigate the need for a panel upsize? In what scenarios do load balancing technologies help enable additional electrification measures? 
• What is the potential for load balancing when utilizing a load management plan / technology to mitigate panel upsizing? What is the magnitude of load reduction/balancing under various scenarios (in kW)?