Managing a small number of EV chargers is generally relatively simple. When an EV charging network expands with additional chargers, users, and locations, the daily operation of the network becomes increasingly complex.

Operators need to have knowledge of the status of each charging station, the identity of the person utilizing a specific charging station, the quantity of electrical energy provided by each charger, whether any malfunctions have developed, what method will be used to charge customers, and how the overall available electrical capacity of the location will be allocated.

These functions are all integrated into a single, centralized location. A CSMS, or Charging Station Management System, is a type of system used to connect charging hardware with the individuals responsible for maintaining and managing the charging network.

The value of using a CSMS for an operator is not just having additional software. The benefit is being able to monitor activity on the charging network from a single location.

What Does an EV Charging Management System Do?

An EV charging management system, sometimes referred to as an electric vehicle charging management system, is a back-end platform that enables users to manage and track the performance of connected EV charging stations.

In addition to charging station management software, some providers refer to this as an EV charger management system or CSMS.

The relationship among the three main components of this system can be understood as follows:

EV Charger: performs the physical charging process.

OCPP: allows data to flow between the charger and the back-end.

CSMS: provides the operator with a central view and management of the network.

Grasen's charging station management platform is based on OCPP 1.6J and a SaaS structure.

The charger and backend must operate together; the charger handles the actual charging function, while the management system enables the operator to monitor and manage activities taking place throughout the network.

How Does a CSMS Connect Chargers and Operators?

A simple view of a charging network would look something like this:

EV / Driver → EV Charger ↔ OCPP ↔ CSMS → Operator

The physical charging process is handled by the charger. Operating data is received at the backend, which provides an interface for operators to monitor and manage connected devices.

The information transmitted to the backend will depend on the charger and the platform being used. It may include:

· charger status

· charging session information

· meter values

· connector status

· fault information

The management system can then allow operators to monitor equipment, adjust configuration and perform supported remote operations.

For example, if charging stations are installed at several different locations, the operator can treat those chargers as part of the same network rather than managing each location separately.

Charger Monitoring and Remote Maintenance

The reliability of a charging station, or how long it remains operational, affects both the customer's experience and the potential revenue generated by that location.

A management system provides operators with real-time operating data and visibility into potential faults. This can help identify problems at an earlier stage.

Grasen provides real-time charging data, real-time monitoring of charging stations, remote support and an active fault list.

The Grasen CSMS also includes remote configuration, firmware and OTA updates, and OCPP log collection for diagnosing charger issues.

These functions may reduce the amount of time spent travelling to each location to investigate problems that can first be checked remotely.

Charging Sessions, Users and Access

A charging network needs to keep track of what occurs while a vehicle is being charged.

Charging session management may contain information about charging records, recharge records, energy consumption, charging duration and revenue from charging sessions.

Operators may also have to keep track of:

· RFID cards

· mobile app users

· user groups

· pricing rules

· discounts

The Grasen platform provides RFID card registration, online recharge, card and mobile app users, as well as customized pricing and discount levels for different user groups.

These functions can be useful when one network is used by different categories of users, including members of the public, employees, fleet vehicles or contract-based customers.

Billing, Pricing and Payment

Commercial charging does not always use one fixed electricity price.

Operators may charge for the electricity used and add other costs such as service charges, reservation fees or additional fees after a charging session.

Grasen CSMS documentation includes a reserve fee before charging, electricity and service fees during charging, an exceed fee after charging, and station-specific pricing.

The platform materials also list PayPal, credit card and third-party payment system integration.

This enables the management system to support both the technical operation of the charging service and part of the commercial workflow associated with it.

Load Management and Multi-Site Operations

As more chargers operate at the same time, the amount of site power available becomes increasingly important.

When every charger attempts to draw as much power as possible, the combined demand can exceed what the site's electrical infrastructure can provide.

Grasen's platform includes Load Balancing Management (DLM), which is used to allocate the available power among chargers more efficiently.

As the network grows, EV charging station management becomes more complex, especially when operators have to manage multiple charging locations, individual charging stations and different operational levels.

The Grasen platform provides charging location and charging station management, together with operator and sub-operator structures.

What Is the Difference Between CSMS and OCPP?

CSMS and OCPP are both components of the same charging infrastructure. However, they are defined differently. CSMS is a back-end system which allows users to manage their charging network. On the other hand, OCPP is a communication protocol that allows the user to transmit information from the charger to the back-end system. A simple way to differentiate the two would be: CSMS manages the charging network, while OCPP facilitates communication of data between the charger and back-end system. It is important to know the difference between these two systems when choosing a charging station. A charger may have an OCPP interface, but this does not mean that the same backend will be able to perform all of the functions needed for your project.

Can One CSMS Manage Chargers Made by Multiple Manufacturers?

Potentially, yes.

Open communication standards such as OCPP can make it easier to integrate chargers made by different manufacturers into one management platform.

However, OCPP support does not automatically guarantee that every required function will work correctly with a specific backend.

Before adding another charger to an existing network, an operator should check:

· OCPP version

· firmware implementation

· authentication process

· meter data

· remote commands

· smart charging functions

· backend configuration

· interoperability testing

This is particularly important for operators that currently use chargers supplied by one manufacturer but want to add equipment from another without replacing the backend software already in use.

When Selecting an EV Charger for a CSMS, What Should Operators Check?

Charging equipment and backend software are both parts of the overall charging system, so they should be evaluated together.

Before buying chargers, operators need to verify:

· protocol compatibility

· backend setup

· stable network communication

· remote monitoring

· metering

· smart charging

· load management

· firmware updates

· interoperability testing

Interoperability testing can be used to check whether the charger and backend exchange the data and commands required by the project.

For larger deployments, testing the charger with the intended backend before full deployment can help identify communication or configuration issues at an earlier stage.

The purpose is not merely to locate a charger with the label "OCPP Compatible." The objective is to verify that both the charger and management software provide the capabilities actually required by the project.

Managing an EV Charging Network Takes More Than Software

An EV charging management system enables an operator to see where their chargers are located, what users have been using them, when each user charged up, how much money the operator has collected, how each user paid for their charge, if anything went wrong with a particular charge, and how much power was consumed during each charge. However, in order for a charging operation to function properly, there must be more than just a software system. The charger hardware, communication protocols, network connections and the back-end platforms must all be compatible. When an operator understands how these systems interact, he or she can make better decisions regarding which type of charging equipment to purchase, can better coordinate operations at multiple sites, and can increase the size of his or her commercial charging network while experiencing fewer problems with integration down the road.

Learn More About Grasen EV Charging Management

The charging management platform developed by Grasen includes functions such as real-time charging station monitoring, charging and revenue data, Dynamic Load Management (DLM), asset management, operator management, remote charger configuration, OTA firmware updates, OCPP log collection and payment system integration.

If you would like to see how these functions are structured in an actual charging management platform, you can review the complete Grasen CSMS resource below.

Download the Grasen CSMS Guide (PDF)