Advanced Power Electronics to Enable Fast Charging While Avoiding Grid Upgrades
Summary
SCH Number
2022030760
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Advanced Power Electronics to Enable Fast Charging While Avoiding Grid Upgrades
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
3/29/2022
Document Description
The purpose of this Agreement is to design, develop and build an advanced power electronics module (PEM) that enables a commercially available fast charger to supply high power to electric vehicles via a low amp (A) grid connection which will enable ultra-fast charging to be deployed quickly at almost any location, substantially decreasing the cost and accelerating the buildout of a fast charging network. The project team shall directly connect a fast charger to energy storage and solar resources using the PEM to validate the improved energy efficiencies and reduced operating costs realized from the DC-coupling technology.
Contact Information
Name
Joshua Croft
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Energy Commission Specialist II
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Sausalito
Counties
Marin
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
Pala Way
Zip
94965
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15301
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the design, building, and testing of a module that will enable an electric vehicle (EV) fast charger to supply high power to EVs while decoupling the charger from the grid. The project will take place at an existing facility and will require minor modifications to the facility such as the addition of a fast charger for testing and electrical wiring modifications. All modifications will be made according to standard safety practices and in conformance with any applicable regulations. These modifications involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. Testing of the module will involve comprehensive data collection, modeling and system performance verification.
This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the installation of small new equipment in small structures with only minor modifications to the structures. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a major disturbance to an environmental resource. The project does not involve any unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The project, when considered as a whole, will not result in a cumulative impact that is significant on the environment. Therefore, none of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15303
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the design, building, and testing of a module that will enable an electric vehicle (EV) fast charger to supply high power to EVs while decoupling the charger from the grid. The project will take place at an existing facility and will require minor modifications to the facility such as the addition of a fast charger for testing and electrical wiring modifications. All modifications will be made according to standard safety practices and in conformance with any applicable regulations. These modifications involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. Testing of the module will involve comprehensive data collection, modeling and system performance verification.
This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the installation of small new equipment in small structures with only minor modifications to the structures. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a major disturbance to an environmental resource. The project does not involve any unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The project, when considered as a whole, will not result in a cumulative impact that is significant on the environment. Therefore, none of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §§ 15306
Reasons for Exemption
This project involves the design, building, and testing of a module that will enable an electric vehicle (EV) fast charger to supply high power to EVs while decoupling the charger from the grid. The project will take place at an existing facility and will require minor modifications to the facility such as the addition of a fast charger for testing and electrical wiring modifications. All modifications will be made according to standard safety practices and in conformance with any applicable regulations. These modifications involve negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. Testing of the module will involve comprehensive data collection, modeling and system performance verification.
This project is therefore categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use at the site. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15303 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of the installation of small new equipment in small structures with only minor modifications to the structures. The project is also categorically exempt pursuant to section 15306 of the CEQA Guidelines because it consists of basic data collection, research and resource evaluation activities which will not result in a major disturbance to an environmental resource. The project does not involve any unusual circumstances, will not result in damage to any scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway, the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5, and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. The project, when considered as a whole, will not result in a cumulative impact that is significant on the environment. Therefore, none of the exceptions to exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. You may also contact the OPR via email at state.clearinghouse@opr.ca.gov or via phone at (916) 445-0613. For more information, please visit OPR’s Accessibility Site.