NIST OWM-ANL Co-Host Inaugural EVSE Metrology Training Event

Several of the NIST OWM staff teamed up with Ted Bohn of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to deliver a one-day hybrid workshop and training event on electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) on September 20, 2024. BTC Power (in Irvine, CA) generously provided their facility for the NIST-ANL team to conduct both classroom hybrid presentations and demonstrations of field testing, which was also streamed live.

The turnout at the event was excellent, with 35 participants in person and approximately 150 via virtual attendance. A diverse group of participants included scientific metrologists and engineers from the national metrology institutes (NMIs) of Canada (NRC Canada and Measurement Canada) and Brazil (INMETRO), weights and measures officials from Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange Counties, the California Department of Measurement Services Type Evaluation Program (CTEP), Registered Service Agents (RSAs), representatives from other U.S. federal agencies, and numerous representatives from EVSE manufacturers and the test equipment industry.

Presentations from NIST covered the status of revisions to NIST Handbook 44, specifically Section 3.40 Electric Vehicle Fueling Systems and the updated version of Examination Procedure Outline (EPO) 30, as well as highlights of the OIML Guide 22 (G 22) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) detailing metrological requirements, control and performance tests. Additionally, NIST provided a report on the status of DC traceability for EVSE measurements. From the type evaluation perspective, Jack Witt of the California Type Evaluation Program shared his experiences working with manufacturers to conduct type evaluations of EVSEs, highlighting practical challenges and approaches that have improved the process. Ted Bohn of ANL provided an overview of his research on the stability of meters used in EVSEs and the many technical issues emerging with megawatt charging, which is already being implemented in certain sectors of heavy industry. Finally, Juan Sanchez of INMETRO presented Brazil’s emerging approach for regulating EVSEs in which he raised practical implementation challenges about type evaluation requirements according to OIML G 22.

The afternoon segment, which took advantage of BTC Power’s on-site capabilities, covered approaches to testing EVSEs, including a survey of commercial and open-source equipment suitable to the task and methods for calibrating components. Following the demonstrations, participants re-convened to share their experiences with testing, ask questions, and provide feedback on the process and EPO 30.

The event was specifically targeted at the growing needs of the weights and measures community for relevant training material in response to the rapid growth of the EV industry and EVSE infrastructure. OWM will be developing training over the next year to meet these needs, enabling the weights and measures community to ensure confidence and equity in EV charging for consumers. The content from this workshop will be used to develop e-learning materials that will be a resource for professional learners and provide the basis for future in-person training programs as part of OWM’s Metrology Training Programs.

OWM is gearing up to hold other EVSE-relevant seminars, workshops, and training events in spring 2025. We are also collaborating with NCWM to provide metrology-based training (and other fundamentals of metrology content) to the NCWM-led EVSE Technical Conference and Trade Show later in 2025. We are pleased to partner with NCWM in these endeavors, as both organizations work to provide state weights and measures officials and registered service agents (RSAs) with the training needed to ensure equity in the marketplace.

If you are interested in attending future EVSE training events, please send an email of interest to Katya Delak (katya.delak [at] nist.gov (katya[dot]delak[at]nist[dot]gov)) or David Sefcik (david.sefcik [at] nist.gov (david[dot]sefcik[at]nist[dot]gov)).