University of California, San Diego
IN-49: Innovation C

The primary project goal is to demonstrate a sustainable, replicable business model for accessible Electric Vehicle Support Equipment (EVSE) concurrent with enabling affordable Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) for fleet, workplace/commuter and public use at the ten UC campuses and LBNL. Specifically, the program will enable meeting the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) goals of having 50% of all new light duty fleet vehicle acquisition be ZEV or hybrid by 2025, 4.5% of all commuter vehicles be ZEV by 2025, and 5% of CA agencies be EV-ready at “workplace” facilities by 2020. The replicability will extend to other large and public institutions in meeting the CA Governor’s Executive Orders, Legislative policies and regulatory goals for ZEVs.

The project strategies are to maximize present and scheduled public and private incentives in a “Field of Dreams” approach (i.e., “if you build it, they will come”) to provide accessibility to economically feasible EVSE based upon the high utilization of assets that are holistically optimized for shared use and exploiting emerging revenue potential from the grid via flex charging and ancillary services. Affordable EV lease/purchases will be enabled by creating “evergreen” fleet purchase and lease prices with major EV carmakers for students, faculty, staff and retirees. Finally, the sizeable portions of college staff and students that reside within disadvantaged communities will be emphasized to prove that if accessible EVSE and affordable EVs become a reality, the underserved communities will become a significant and viable avenue for meeting CA ZEV Goals.

UC San Diego is building the largest and most diversified Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure of any university worldwide. We lead innovation in the ability to shift, shape, shed, and fine-tune electrical loads from EV charging in concert with dynamic market price signals and grid conditions, including periods of surplus of renewable energy on the grid. Working with the private sector to develop significant cost-sharing agreements, UC San Diego supports electric vehicle charging research development and demonstration opportunities. Current projects include Adaptive Load Management, Vehicle-2-Grid, PV-Energy Storage integrated DC Fast Chargers, ISO 15118 prototypes and conjoined DC Fast Chargers. The affordability and accessibility of each of the initial 250 EV chargers installed on campus have converted on average 6 new students, faculty, staff and retirees to EV commuting who also take advantages of below market offers extended exclusively offered to the UC San Diego Community.

UCSD continues to leverage public funding to build EV charging infrastructure on campus and ended 2020 with 250 ports that served commuters, general public and travelers. UCSD over the past four years has become San Diego County’s largest multi-purpose hub of EV charging plazas by delivering 2.5 GWH to over 5,500 unique drivers. UC San Diego provides its estimated 2200 UCSD employees living in DACs the opportunity for an affordable EV (through UC San Diego affiliated discounts) and accessible workplace charging.

See also:

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/nuvve_and_uc_san_diego_to_demonstrate_vehicle_to_grid_technology

https://rmp.ucsd.edu/strategic-energy/index.html