The ChargePoint Network Operating System (NOS) communicates with and individually manages Smartlet Networked Charging Stations to provide authentication/authorization, usage monitoring and real-time control. The client server architecture allows the ChargePoint NOS to scale to an unlimited number of charging stations and subscribers. The server is a secure, open, web-based application built on standard, reliable software and hardware platforms. For maximum security and availability the server is hosted by a Tier I application-hosting provider.
The ChargePoint NOS provides three distinct portals into the system, for subscribers, hosts and utilities.
Subscriber Portal
Through the secure Subscriber Portal (www.mychargepoint.net), subscribers can:
- Sign-up for service, choose from a variety of subscription plans and receive a smart card or key fob
- Search for Smartlets on a Google Map near a location or along a route. The network allows the subscriber to determine which charging stations are currently available or in use
- Request new charging stations at specific locations (messages sent to host)
- Review account status, usage history, change or modify their subscription plan and obtain online help. Create additional family or shared plans
- View and generate reports (charging history, GHG emission savings, etc.)
- Sign up for SMS/e-mail alerts during various conditions (plug-out detected, charging completed, etc.)
Host Portal
Designed to serve the needs of the municipalities and corporations that host Smartlet Networked Charging Stations, administrators can:
- Commission individual charging stations and groups of stations
- View the location and status of their charging stations on a Google Map, and receive email and pager alerts for any alarms and faults
- View detailed history and status information on individual charging stations, including occupancy rates and energy usage trends
- Generate inventory, service and maintenance reports for import into service tracking systems
- Set and enforce access rates
- Set network policy and access rights
Host Role (For Station Owners)
- View and generate reports related to the owned stations
- Set various alarms and notification methods (e.g. SMS/E-mail, etc.)
Installer Role (for Distributors – provisioning capability):
- Create manager accounts and associated privileges
- Provision and enable Smartlets, Gateways, Radio Groups, and Circuit Groups
- Create and administer logical groupings
- Set alarms and notification methods
- View and generate reports
Manager Role (for Network Operator):
- Activate groups and Smartlets
- Modify and administer logical groupings
- Administer Smartlets, Gateways and Circuit Groups
- Set alarms and notification methods
- View and generate reports
- Cool Features: “wink” a Smartlet, open doors, reboot, reset GFCI, start/stop charging sessions, take Smartlet out of service, send message to the display, etc.
Utility Portal
The Utility Portal is designed to provide individual utilities the ability to monitor and manage the impact on the grid of plug-in vehicles charging via the ChargePoint Network. Individual electric utility companies are provided a secure web page login, where they can:
- Monitor the aggregated public charging load in their territories
- Customize their territory maps and view Google-based maps of actual and shed-able load
- Shed the load of subscribers who have signed up for a plan that allows load-shedding for demand response events
Demand Response:
Under peak conditions, shed the load of all Smartlets in its Shedding Group that are charging vehicles of Subscribers who have subscribed to a “grid friendly” plan. This excludes only those Smartlets charging the vehicles of Subscribers with “24/7” plans
Blackout Avoidance:
Under super-peak conditions (impeding grid failure), shed the entire load within a Shedding Group
Fleet Portal
- Define fleets, vehicles, departments, drivers, and vehicle templates
- Check Out/Check In of cars with expected return time:
- Notification to fleet manager and driver if car not returned (or plugged in) by designated time, and when cars are completely charged
- Determine where each car in the fleet is charging, and get charging status of each vehicle
- Export Usage Data on a per-charging-session basis:
- Start/stop time and duration, kWh, Driver, Vehicle, GHG emission savings, gasoline savings
