Smarter charging could meet demand for electric vehicle charging, reports Electric Nation

The initial findings of the Electric Nation trial suggest that smart charging could be a key solution to meeting the challenge of the demand from increasing numbers of electric vehicles (EVs) on electricity networks.

Electric Nation is investigating the benefits that smart charging could provide for local electricity networks, where additional demand from local clusters of EVs could require reinforcement of these networks.

Electric Nation is one of Western Power Distribution’s (WPD) innovation projects. It is being undertaken in collaboration with partners EA Technology, DriveElectric, Lucy Electric GridKey and TRL, is offering a free smart charger to 500-700 electric vehicle drivers. Over 40 different makes and models of EVs are taking part in the trial, which is taking place in the WPD network areas in the Midlands, South West and South Wales.

Electric Nation’s initial findings are based on almost 70,000 hours of charging data, and show that 48% of plug-in events begin between 5pm and midnight. On average, these vehicles are plugged in for 12 hours, but are only charging for just over two hours. This suggests that there is likely to be sufficient flexibility to manage charging away from peak electricity demand periods. This will be explored in detail through the smart charging trial taking place during the rest of 2017 and 2018.

Recent reports in response to the government’s announcement about the ban of petrol and diesel cars by 2040 have raised concerns about the ability of the UK’s electricity networks to provide sufficient power for increasing numbers of EVs. National Grid’s Future Energy Scenarios (FES) included a number of scenarios that estimated the additional system-wide peak electricity demand from electric vehicles would range from 6 to 18 GW in 2050. A lower increase (6 GW) is predicted when the use of smart charging and time of use tariffs is widespread.

The Electric Nation trial has shown the main issue around grid capacity relates to clusters of EVs charging on local electricity networks at peak times, said Mark Dale, innovation manager at Western Power Distribution.

“The UK government is looking to mandate smart charging, and the Electric Nation project is providing evidence about whether it will work. Research shows that at least 30% of Britain’s low voltage networks are likely to require investment by 2050 to charge EVs, costing at least £2.2bn. Our early findings suggest that smart charging could reduce, delay or avoid the need to upgrade or replace these networks.”

Further reductions in peak electricity demand are also likely to be possible by vehicle to grid charging (V2G). Electric Nation will be incorporating V2G trials into the project.

The Electric Nation project is running ahead of schedule with recruitment. It has received over 2,500 enquiries, which have translated to over 700 signed expressions of interest, of which over 400 have been approved, and over 350 smart chargers have now been installed.

The Electric Nation project team announced its initial findings at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) event, which was held at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

Find out more about electric vehicle charging initatives at Smarter Travel LIVE!