{"id":22717,"date":"2025-01-14T14:25:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T03:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/?p=22717"},"modified":"2025-01-16T10:29:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T23:29:10","slug":"ev-ready-apartment-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/ev-ready-apartment-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping apartment buildings get EV ready"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With electric vehicles (EVs) gaining popularity, buildings equipped with EV chargers \u2013 or with the capacity to install them (EV-ready) \u2013 will become more attractive to renters and investors.\u00a0That’s why we\u2019re investing in ways to help new and existing buildings embrace the transition and become \u2018EV-ready\u2019 \u2013 including providing access to The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) funding to upgrade existing buildings.\u00a0Here\u2019s what you need to know.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state of play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Australia is experiencing a rise in apartment living<\/a> and increasing EV adoption<\/a>. According to the 2021 Census<\/a>, over 2.5 million Australians \u2013 or more than 10% \u2013 now reside in apartments. Simultaneously, the popularity of EVs is growing, with predictions that by 2030, half of all new cars will be electric<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having the right infrastructure is essential to facilitating EV charging<\/a> in residential and commercial buildings. New (greenfield) and existing (brownfield) buildings require similar backbone infrastructure \u2013 especially when multiple chargers are to be installed and used. Whether they already have this infrastructure in place is the big question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What infrastructure is needed for EV-ready buildings?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each building is unique \u2013 with varying power capacities\/supply and demand (peak and off-peak), parking layout, existing electrical infrastructure, age of building, solar installations<\/a>, storage and other specific requirements.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buildings requiring multiple EV chargers<\/a> need an energy distribution system \u2013 or \u2018backbone\u2019 – as well as a dynamic load management system (LMS) to safely manage the building\u2019s power.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The LMS prioritises the power required by the building and its residents while distributing surplus energy for EV charging<\/a>, balancing the building’s energy needs and the demands of multiple EV chargers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s the difference between new and existing builds?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To future-proof new buildings, the National Construction Code (NCC)<\/a> 2022 has mandated all class 2 residential buildings to provide EV-ready infrastructure<\/a> to 100% car park spots, facilitating the easy installation of EV chargers<\/a> as needed. However, existing buildings may or may not have this infrastructure in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 1 in 4 Victorians<\/a> live in strata-managed residential buildings that haven\u2019t been set up for EV charging<\/a>, leaving those with an EV \u2013 or considering making the switch<\/a> \u2013 without the option to charge at home<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deploying backbone infrastructure and LMS in existing apartment buildings<\/a> has added layers of complexity and cost, compared to new builds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re working with ARENA<\/a> to address this issue for owners\u2019 corporations and residents in apartment buildings<\/a>, helping Australians overcome barriers to EV adoption<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re developing a solution for existing buildings that includes EV charging technology<\/a> along with backbone infrastructure. ARENA has provided $4.2 million through its Driving the Nation program<\/a> to help fund 16 projects across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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See how Origin helped future proof ARIA\u2019s award-winning, high density Upper House development in Brisbane.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Read the Aria case study<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How different is this to installing a single-dwelling charger?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The primary difference between installing a home charger<\/a> in a single dwelling and setting up multiple chargers<\/a> in high-density residential or commercial buildings lies in the scale of infrastructure required.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A single home needs minimal setup, while buildings with multiple tenants require a more robust EV backbone to handle higher electrical loads. This ensures efficient, simultaneous charging for multiple vehicles while maintaining the overall power balance for the building.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What types of EV chargers are available?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of EV chargers<\/a>: standard wall socket chargers, AC dedicated wall or pole-mounted chargers, and fast or rapid DC chargers for public use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What software is required?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our dedicated software platform, Origin 360 EV Charge, provides building managers with a customised dashboard with a view of all chargers, their locations and operating status.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The software simplifies and secures access to EV chargers<\/a> using RFID cards and a mobile phone app, streamlining billing and reimbursement for building managers and residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits for residents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n