FAQ: Everything you need to know
Why is takeCHARGE offering this program?
takeCHARGE is offering this program to identify and understand charging habits of local EV drivers and determine the potential for future utility programs which incentivize shifting EV charging demand to off-peak periods.
Where can I find the pilot program’s terms and conditions?
Click here for pilot Terms & Conditions
Why does it matter when I charge my vehicle?
As EV adoption increases, the overall demand on the electricity grid will increase. During times of high demand on the electrical grid, there can be a higher reliance on electricity sources that are more expensive. If you can shift your vehicle’s charging to when demand is lower, it helps keep cost low for all electricity customers.
How long is the pilot?
The pilot has been extended for an additional year. Peak Events and Off-Peak Charging will end in March 2025. Participants will remain enrolled until May 2025.
Why conduct an EV Load Management Pilot?
We’re conducting an EV Load Management Pilot to identify EV charging habits, the effects of at home EV charging on the electrical grid and the potential to shift EV charging outside of peak energy usage times on the electricity grid.
What is a “peak event”?
A “peak event” is when larger amounts of electricity are being used by customers at the same time. Peak events usually occur during the winter months when the temperature is cold and customers are at home using electricity like heating their homes, turning on appliances, and charging EVs.
Why are there peak events?
Peak events are used to reduce electricity use at times of peak demand.
Can I choose what pilot group to participate in?
You will not be able to choose which group you are placed in. This allows for a scientific study design that meets the requirements of the pilot.
What is load management?
Electricity load management is balancing the supply of electricity with customer demand.
Why is load management important?
It’s important to make sure that there is enough electricity when customers need it. This can be achieved by shifting and optimizing electricity use to ensure the electricity system is reliable and stable.
Is my personal data secure and privacy ensured? What steps have been taken to ensure cybersecurity?
Yes, your personal data is secure, and your privacy is protected. All personal information is handled in accordance with the Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. A copy of Newfoundland Power’s Privacy Policy is available upon request.
Both AutoGrid Flex™ and Compass Global, Inc. (DBA Optiwatt) are SOC2 (Service Organization Control Type 2) certified, ensuring that your data is safeguarded against unauthorized access and security breaches. AutoGrid Flex™ is also NERC-CIP attested, which means it meets critical infrastructure protection standards enforced by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
SOC2 is a security framework that specifies how organizations should protect customer data from unauthorized access, security incidents, and other vulnerabilities. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed SOC2 around five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed SOC2 around five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
AutoGrid Flex™ was designed to meet the most stringent, IOU-grade, cyber-security standards and to fully comply with industry best practices. Notably, AutoGrid Flex™ is the only cloud-based software provider that is both SOC2 compliant and NERC-CIP attested.
Compass Global, Inc. (DBA Optiwatt) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency in how they handle your information as it relates to utility programs.
They collect or during certain programs receive the following categories of covered information: Customer Identification Information, Usage Information, Program Participation Information, Device Information, Location Information (at home flag only), Service Information.
They use the information to plan, implement, or evaluate demand response and energy management or energy efficiency programs. They do not use or disclose your information for secondary purposes without your prior, express, written authorization, except as required by law.
Additional information is available at:
https://takechargenl.ca/privacy-policy/
https://www.autogrid.com/privacy-policy/
https://optiwatt.com/privacy
Can I be sure my car will have enough charge when I need it in the morning?
Yes, typically, an EV will take 7 hours on average to charge from 0% to 80% using a level 2 charger. Participants in Group 1 Peak Events and Group 2 Off-peak charging can also choose to opt-out and charge during a Peak Event or during on-peak hours anytime. Additionally, drivers that participate through the vehicle telematics pathway can enter their driving preferences in the Optiwatt mobile app including state of charge (SOC) and time to leave schedule, this will ensure your EV is ready when you need it.
How many participants can enroll in the pilot?
200
I have more than one (1) EV in my household, can I enroll more than once?
One (1) enrollment per household is allowed, unless a household has more than one (1) EV and more than (1) EVSE/charger that is used regularly by the additional EV(s).
Why didn’t I know about the Expression of Interest application?
The expression of interest application was posted on the takeCHARGE website. A link to the application was provided via takeCHARGE social media accounts and email communication to our Drivers Club members.
Sign up to become an EV Drivers Club member here.
Can I register more than one EV vehicle?
Yes, you can include more than one EV when enrolling, if you were instructed to do so.
How do I stop participating?
You can unenroll anytime by emailing EVPilot@TakeChargeNL.ca. Please allow up to 5 business days to process unenrollment requests.
What data are you collecting from my vehicle or Level 2 Charger?
The data that is collected varies dependent on the type, make and model of the compatible equipment. For example, types of data collected can include EV Charging Power, EV Battery Capacity, EV Charging State and Status, EV Charge Limit, EV Battery State of Charge, Charging Start/Stop Times, location flag (home or away only) and Odometer.
What happens to my data after it’s collected?
Participants charging data will be analyzed to draw conclusions about residential EV charging including identify and understand the charging habits of local EV drivers and determine the potential for shifting charging demand to off-peak periods. These results will help develop future programs for EV load management.
What if I charge my EV during peak hours?
Participants in both treatment groups can charge their vehicles during peak hours or peak events. If a participant chooses to charge during peak hours or peak events three (3) or more times in a calendar month, the participant will not be eligible to receive the monthly reward for that month.
I didn’t opt-out of a Peak Event. Why was I automatically opted out of the event?
If you’re a participant in Group 1 – Peak Events using the vehicle telematics (VT) pathway, you will be automatically opted-out of a Peak Event in the following cases:
You can set your minimum SOC threshold in the Optiwatt mobile app. Rest assured, you won’t be penalized for automatic opt-outs due to SOC levels or if your EV is not flagged ‘at home’ for the event.
How and when will I receive my rewards?
An enrollment reward will be issued once a participant completes their first months charging at home after enrollment. Monthly rewards and completion rewards will be issued annually by the end of April of each year.
How long are peak events?
Peak events will vary in length from a minimum of 2 hours to a maximum of 6 hours.
How many peak events will there be?
There can be up to a maximum of 4 events per week.
How is charger or vehicle data collected (i.e. WiFi/cellular data)?
Charger data is collected through your home network/WiFi. Vehicle data is collected through the vehicle’s cellular network connection.
How will managed charging (Group 1 – Peak Event only) affect my charging schedule?
During a Peak Event your vehicles charging may be temporarily paused, once the event is completed charging will automatically resume. At anytime you can opt-out of paused charging to boost your vehicles charge. Participants who choose to opt-out three (3) or more times in a calendar month will not be eligible to receive the monthly reward for that month.
I didn’t select the correct permissions when I was enrolling my Tesla vehicle. I want to participate in the pilot, how can I correct permissions?
In order to correct permissions, Tesla drivers will need to revoke access through their Tesla account, then go through the enrollment process again. To revoke Smartcar access, follow these steps:
- Login to your Tesla account by entering your email, select next and enter your password.
- Go to the Profile Settings tab within your Account Settings.
- Select “Third Party Apps” and then click on “Manage.”
- Choose “Remove Access” to revoke permissions.
To enroll again, navigate to your welcome email and select the link to enroll. Follow the steps provided under the FAQ above for “How do I give Smartcar permissions to access my Tesla account when enrolling in the pilot program?”
Do I have to share my vehicle’s manufacturer login details?
No, Optiwatt does not have access to or store your username or password. When you log in to your vehicle’s manufacturer app through Optiwatt, the system generates an authorization token that allows communication with your device. Optiwatt only stores an encrypted version of that token, ensuring your login credentials remain secure.
Why does the program need to know my location?
Location is used solely to determine whether your EV is charging ‘at home’ or ‘away’. This helps us track at-home charging patterns and ensures that we don’t manage charging sessions at public or away chargers, particularly for Group 1 Peak Events.
Location information is not used for any other purposes, is never shared, and can be excluded from any reporting.
Do Newfoundland Power or its delivery partners have the ability to control my car, like locking or unlocking doors?
No, for this pilot program, only your EV’s charging will be temporarily paused during scheduled Peak Events for participants in Group 1. Charging will automatically resume after the event. No other vehicle controls will be used in this pilot program.
Do I get to keep the pilot provided charger after the pilot ends?
Yes
Why can’t all brands, makes and models of chargers be utilized for the pilot?
Not all chargers are compatible with the technology being employed in this Pilot to manage EV charging.
I received a set up password email from Optiwatt, do I need to use the Optiwatt mobile app to participate in the pilot program?
No, the Optiwatt mobile app is optional for pilot participants.
However, if you are a participant in Group 1 – Peak Events, we recommend using the app to set driver preferences. This ensures that your EV is charged to your desired state of charge (SOC) when you need it. The Optiwatt mobile app also offers additional benefits to all users, including: