Services
EV charging and battery storage — engineered, not guessed
EVSE and BESS feasibility studies — capacity assessment, load modelling, and grid connection for commercial buildings.
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVSE — Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) are moving from "nice to have" to "required" across the Australian building sector. The NCC 2022 introduced EV charging requirements for new apartment buildings. Victorian planning schemes are increasingly including EV and energy storage provisions. And commercial tenants are asking about EV charging as part of lease negotiations.
But the engineering isn't simple. A building's existing electrical infrastructure may not have the capacity. Load modelling needs to account for coincident demand — multiple chargers running simultaneously. Grid connection for a BESS involves the local distribution network service provider (DNSP) and can take months. Fire safety requirements for battery storage add spatial and system constraints.
MRGN provides feasibility studies that answer the practical questions: can it be done, what will it cost, and what are the steps?
EVSE feasibility
- Capacity assessment — how many EV chargers can the building's existing electrical infrastructure support, at what charge rate?
- Load modelling — peak demand impact analysis using actual or modelled load profiles, not just nameplate addition
- NCC and planning compliance — what's required under the current code and local planning scheme for this building type
- Infrastructure design — distribution board upgrades, riser capacity, metering strategy, and spatial allocation
BESS feasibility
- Viability assessment — is a battery economically viable based on the building's load profile, solar generation, and tariff structure?
- Grid connection — what's involved in connecting to the DNSP's network, including protection requirements, export limits, and approval timeframes
- System sizing — battery capacity, inverter rating, and solar PV sizing
- Spatial and safety — where can the battery go, what fire safety provisions are required, and what clearances apply
EV and battery systems don't sit in isolation — they affect fire safety provisions, mechanical ventilation, hydraulic services, and structural design. MRGN's multi-disciplinary coverage means our feasibility studies account for these knock-on effects across all disciplines. See our full design offering.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do new apartment buildings in Victoria need EV charging?
- Under NCC 2022, new apartment buildings generally require EV charging infrastructure for a percentage of parking spaces. The exact requirement depends on the building class and number of apartments. Victorian planning schemes may impose additional requirements.
- How many EV chargers can my existing building support without an upgrade?
- It depends on the existing electrical capacity, the charger type (Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC fast charging), and the building's load profile. A feasibility study is the only way to answer this with certainty.
- What does a grid connection for battery storage involve?
- You need to apply to your local DNSP (in Melbourne, typically CitiPower, Powercor, United Energy, Jemena, or AusNet Services). The application requires protection studies, system modelling, and may trigger network augmentation costs. MRGN can manage this process.
- Is battery storage financially viable for commercial buildings?
- Viability depends on the building's tariff structure, load profile, solar generation, and the cost of the BESS. Our feasibility studies include a simple payback analysis. Generally, buildings with high peak demand charges and good solar exposure see the strongest cases.
- What about fire safety for battery storage in buildings?
- Lithium-ion batteries present fire risks that need to be managed through location (external or dedicated ventilated rooms), fire detection and suppression, and spatial separation. The relevant Australian Standards and local fire authority requirements apply.
- Can you help with government grant applications for EV or BESS?
- We can provide the technical documentation required for grant applications, including feasibility studies and system specifications.
Talk to Sam
Engineering input from a senior practitioner who carries the work end to end.
Get in touch