Electric Nation - Powered Up

Objective(s)

The aims of the project are as follows:

1. Explore and report on the impact of V2G charging on the LV network utilising end-user trial charging data and analysis.
2. Demonstrate, via modelling, to what extent V2G can assist with management of LV network demand.
3. Examine how sophisticated dynamic bi-directional energy services based on vehicle battery storage, from a variety of energy suppliers, may impact the LV infrastructure.
4. Provide recommendations for policy and commercial frameworks on V2G services.

Problem(s)

It is already known that the transition to electric vehicles will double the load per house where a car is being charged (based on 12,000 miles per year) and bi-directional charging could be utilised in up to 15% of homes by 2040 (ref National Grid Future Energy scenarios report 2019). Such devices bring a potential issue for low voltage networks with multiple cycles of charge and discharge greatly increasing the throughput of energy; exacerbated by their higher connection powers (up to 7kW) and much larger battery capacities (up to 90KWh), in comparison to existing stationary battery storage. The energy flow for these batteries will be directed by various energy suppliers who will provide end users with low cost electricity or even pay for use of the battery flexibility. Understanding the nature of this energy flow is essential in developing connection policy and for facilitating sufficient network planning to avoid voltages deviating from statutory voltage limits.

Method(s)

In this project, up to 110 homes (minimum of 90) with existing EV users will be equipped with Vehicle to Grid (V2G) chargers to study and then manage the throughput of energy. To replicate the likely future situation, up to five energy service providers will be invited to provide unique V2G profiles which will be delivered via a Charge Point management platform (Crowd Charge); this should produce a wide range of use cases for which data will be gathered to produce charger use profiles. These profiles will be served to a network modelling tool (EA technology Network Assessment Tool) to model the effect on a range of networks at varying levels of EV penetration. In turn this modelling will be used to provide “V2G use envelope parameters” that will describe any constraints that need to be applied to the use of such assets. The constraints will then be distributed across the whole population of V2G installations taking into account the requirements for vehicle use. As part of this distribution, any restrictions to delivery of energy service will be identified on an event-by-event basis and the cost of any non-delivery evaluated. This should inform the value of incentives required for a commercial low voltage network demand/export response service to be offered by the Distribution System Operator (DSO).

• Scope

  The scope of the project is to engage and recruit between 90-110 participants to install V2G charging and control equipment in domestic properties across WPD’s four licence areas. The chargers will be split into various groups of similar size and assigned to the on-board energy suppliers (up to 5). Each supplier will then use their group of chargers to test their various energy services utilising Crowd Charge’s demand management charger platform which provides optimised charging sessions, whilst keeping within the DNO network limits. The effect of these services on the LV network will be modelled and reported on, including the use of this real world V2G data in a network assessment tool.

• Success Criteria

  The success of the Electric Nation V2G project will be based on:

  1. Presentation of the final report, data analysis and project’s findings to WPD and key industry stakeholders at the dissemination event, held in the first quarter of 2022.
  2. Recommendations/suggestions to WPD’s V2G services policy and commercial frameworks.
  3. Specify and provide a standard dataset that can be used by a network modelling tool to evaluate impact of V2G charging on LV networks.
  4. Using a network modelling tool to forecast the effects of V2G charging at varying levels of uptake; this will be based on a mix of dynamic bi-directional energy services.
• Potential for new learning

  V2G hardware, the associated energy trading services and how these interact and operate together while incorporating network control from the DNO, remains an unknown topic as a Business as usual (BAU) proposition to date. PoweredUp investigates these areas and will increase the understanding and collaboration between the DNO, the energy suppliers and the charging control platform service provider Crowd Charge in preparation for a future world where V2G charging is commonplace. As V2G technology and energy services have not been investigated in full yet, this allows for a great opportunity to increase the learning and understanding around the industry of which PoweredUp will contribute.

  The outputs from this project will also feed outputs into industry workshops and consultations which will help shape the future for V2G as business as usual.

• Documents and links

  Project Registration and PEA Document

  Six Monthly Project Report: Oct 19 – Mar – 20

• Monthly updates

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