Stepwise co-founders Jane Chen and Ethan Brewer presented their EV Tap to the Municipal Light Board at the board’s meeting.
Chen began by explaining that there is a common problem of insufficient electric panels.
“That’s the problem we are tackling — restricted infrastructure. How can we optimize what we already have?” she said.
Panel upgrades create a burden on homeowners, electricians, and utilities, Chen said. She added that Stepwise’s low-limiting system, a smart box, can dynamically modulate the energy that goes to the homeowner’s appliance based on the total energy draw of the home.
“We are constantly automating the balancing of electricity distribution to make sure the homeowner stays within safe limits of the panel,” Chen said.
A typical home has a 100-amp panel and on an average summer day, homeowners will turn on the AC, run the water-heater to shower, and cook dinner, Chen said. She added that if the homeowner adds in EV-charging, it can easily go over the safe limits of the panel.
“At just under $1,000, they can work with all EV car chargers and circumvent the need for service upgrades,” Chen said.
Brewer added that as the infrastructure is aging out, Stepwise’s EV Tap extends the lifetime of the panel without service upgrades.
“We can get a 100-amp panel situation to 200 amps. It’s a perfect intermediary,” Brewer said.
Chen said their goal at Stepwise is to allow everybody to electrify their homes, regardless of their infrastructure, while allowing utilities to use the grid.
“It will help in a multi-family situation where you won’t have 200 amps per unit. It would be really beneficial,” Commissioner Mike Hull said
Stepwise estimates that 5,000 homes need their electric panels upgraded in town.
“The downside is upgrades cost a lot of money, take time, and there is a labor shortage. Stepwise’s device is easily installed,” Chen said.