Date: May 2025

By focusing on outcomes and accessibility, Consumers Energy’s PowerMIDrive program has become one of the most successful EV load management programs in the US. PowerMIDrive uses AMI-based passive EV load management - more than 90% of all charging happens overnight and less than 2% of charging occurs during system peak hours. Since presenting at the 2023 EV Symposium, participation in the PowerMIDrive program has more than doubled, and importantly, 50% of grid impacting vehicles are enrolled. This presentation will highlight some of the innovative changes to the program, and the data that has informed them. One new feature addresses “timer peaks” by spreading EV load throughout overnight hours, and Consumers/Sagewell monitor distribution system stress for high value peak reduction target marketing. Even after the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) added a 12-month cap on incentives, former participants continue to charge off-peak at nearly the same level.

Speakers:
Gary Smith, Sagewell
Justin Stowe, Consumers Energy