Hello and welcome!
Virta Adaptive Load Management (ALM) is a powerful cloud-based technology designed to help you, as EV charging operators, optimise energy usage across your entire site. With energy costs rising and infrastructure loads becoming increasingly complex, ALM ensures that your electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) works in harmony with other on-site electrical systems, helping you:
- Avoid expensive power peaks and grid overloads
- Maximise site power utilisation without exceeding limits
- Optimise return on infrastructure investment
- Reduce the risk of downtime and grid penalties
Whether you're operating a multi-charger EV station, managing commercial facilities with diverse energy demands, or integrating EV charging into energy markets, ALM gives you real-time, intelligent control over how and when charging happens.
This guide will walk you through the core concepts and practical implementation of Virta Adaptive Load Management. We will cover:
- Virta ALM overview
- How Virta ALM works
- Key parameters and setup steps
- How ALM adjusts charging based on site load
- How it interacts with EVSEs and energy meters
- Understanding Preconnect and Smart Queuing
- Real-world examples and limitations
- Data monitoring and export features
- User access and permissions
Lets start:
Virta Adaptive Load Management (ALM)
Virta ALM dynamically adjusts charging power based on your site’s overall energy consumption. It prioritises other site loads, like lighting, HVAC, or machinery, over EV charging. When these non-charging loads spike, ALM automatically reduces charging currents to stay within safe limits. Once other loads subside, ALM restores full charging capacity.
ALM is a cloud-based solution, meaning it doesn't require a physical link between chargers. Instead, it uses real-time measurement data from an on-site hardware unit called the Virta ALM Kit.
How ALM Works
Initial Setup
Setting up ALM is similar to configuring Virta's Dynamic Load Management (DLM) groups. It requires DLM to be active since both share the "Maximum current rating" parameter. ALM is enabled via the user interface, after which several ALM-specific settings become available:
| Parmeter | Description |
|
Safe limit |
When the hardware unit loses its internet connection, it means that ALM is no longer receiving real-time data from the site. Safe limit is used to give the group a temporary static limit until the hardware unit is back online. |
| To which phase the optimization is based on | The optimisation can be based on either all phases or on a selected single phase. In the case where all phases are selected, the optimisation is then based on the phase with the highest load |
| Maximum current rating | The maximum current the charger group can use when there is enough capacity. |
| Grid maximum current rating | The maximum capacity of the grid connection point, from which the chargers and other consumers draw power, is a key parameter in calculating the available charging power |
| External device UUID | ID of the hardware unit. This is used for connecting the hardware unit to the charger group. This UUID must match the ID found in the Virta Kit installed on the site. |
| Meter device provider | From this dropdown, user selects the energy meter provider. In Virta ALM, provider in Carlo Cavassi. In addition, Virta supports ENEGIC energy meters through separate cloud-to-cloud integration. Consult Virta Sales for more information. |
Once these fields are completed and saved, ALM activates immediately. It can be toggled on/off at any time via the user interface.
How ALM Operates in Practice
The ALM Kit transmits real-time site consumption data to the cloud every few seconds. This enables constant recalibration of how much current is available for EV charging.
Requirements for Compatibility
- EVSEs must report current per phase: Current.Import.L1, L2, and L3
- MeterValueSampleInterval must be ≤ 60 seconds for near real-time accuracy
When EVSEs report updated meter values, ALM recalculates how much current can be safely used for charging. It evenly distributes this available power to all actively charging stations (defined by OCPP status "Charging").
Charging Capacity Calculation
Whenever a new set of meter values is received:
- ALM evaluates current site load
- Subtracts external (non-charging) consumption
- Redistributes available power among active EVSEs
Control Delay
Due to network latency, changes in EVSE power draw may take 30–60 seconds to reflect.
The Virta ALM Kit: Hardware Overview
The ALM Kit is a preconfigured, plug-and-play hardware package. A qualified technician must install it on-site. It includes:
- Carlo Cavassi Energy Meter: Tracks real-time energy consumption
- Teltonika Cloud Gateway: Communicates with the Virta Hub via 4G/3G/2G
- Current Transformers (CTs): Site-specific CTs must be provided by the customer
Note:
Please note that components must not be replaced with third-party models.
ALM Limitation
Minimum Current (6A)
ALM will not allocate less than 6A per EVSE without additional features. The reason for 6A limit is that some charging station models will not accept value lower than 6 A. For 3-phase chargers, this equates to a minimum output of (6A*(230V*3))4140W per EVSE, even if the group's total available current is lower.
This can result in a mismatch where, for example, 10 chargers request a minimum total of 60A, even if the group’s available capacity is lower.
Offline EVSEs
If an EVSE loses connectivity, it will continue charging at its last received setting until it reconnects. ALM cannot control offline devices unless a TxProfile was applied in advance.
Understanding Virta Preconnect (Optional Add-On)
Preconnect enhances ALM by allowing:
- Charging below 6A where supported
- Intelligent queuing based on priority
How Priority Works
- Priority is first-come, first-served
- Higher-priority chargers receive available power first
- Lower-priority chargers are paused if the Minimum current can’t be met
Example:
If two EVSEs are active, and available current is 11A, but minimum current is 8A:
- First EVSE gets 8A
- Second EVSE is paused (can’t get the minimum current)
This approach ensures efficient power use while protecting customer charging expectations.
Visualising and Exporting ALM Data
Once ALM is active, you’ll see two key graphs in the dashboard:
- EVSE-reported meter values
- Site-wide measurement device data
Data Aggregation Rules
| Time Span | Data Point Interval |
| > 48 hours | Every 1 minute |
| 3–7 days | Every 5 minutes |
| 7–14 days | Every 10 minutes |
| 14–21 days | Every 15 minutes |
| 1 month | Every 30 minutes |
| 1–2 months | Every 45 minutes |
| 3 months | Every 60 minutes |
You can export this data using the Export to CSV button. The export includes 1-minute aggregated data regardless of timespan selected.
Note:
Please note that data older than 3 months is not stored and cannot be exported.
Access and Permissions
To use ALM features:
Hub Users must have the following permissions:
Energy
Dashboard
Load Management
Adaptive Load Management (ALM)
User Role must be
Administrator
Technician
Practical Example: ALM in Action
Let’s say your site has:
- 3-phase EVSEs (3×16A)
- Grid capacity: 64A
- External loads (HVAC, lighting) peaking at 32A
Scenarios:
| Active EVSEs | Other Load | Charging Available | Per EVSE Allocation |
| 3 | 0 A | 64 A | 21 A each |
| 4 | 16 A | 48 A | 12 A each |
| 4 | 32 A | 32 A | 8 A each |
| 8 | 32 A | 32 A | 4 A (adjusted to 6 A) |
When demand exceeds capacity, ALM auto-adjusts to maintain site integrity.
That's it!
With Virta Adaptive Load Management, you now have the tools to:
- Configure intelligent, dynamic charging systems
- Maintain grid stability while expanding EV infrastructure
- Optimise charging operations based on live site data
- Implement future-ready features like Preconnect for smart queuing
- Export and analyse charging and energy trends efficiently
By deploying ALM, you're not just managing power, you're enabling smarter, more resilient, and customer-centric EV charging services. ⚡
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