SSEN’s smart EV project has proposed the installation of a monitoring device to adjust electric vehicle (EV) charging to avoid network overloads.
The responses to its consultation on managed EV charging highlighted proposed solutions to help ensure a “smooth transition” to electric vehicles while avoiding potential overloads on local electricity networks caused by “sharp increases” in the use of the vehicles.
It received responses from various stakeholder groups including energy market participants, distribution network operators (DNOs), local government and non-governmental organisations, consumer bodies, consultants, energy suppliers, charge point supply chain representatives and representatives from the automotive industry.
A majority agreed that managing charging to prevent an overload of local electricity networks is in the “best interest of customers”.
The proposed interim solution would see the installation of a monitoring device at the local electricity substation and, with customer consent, in domestic properties. It would allow network operators to temporarily adjust EV charging when required.
The solution is designed to address emergency situations where local networks have faulted, or are likely to fault, based on a rapid increase in electricity demand caused by clusters, or groups, of EVs.
The solution would only come into play if the market is unable to deliver and the integrity of local electricity networks was at risk.
In total 78 per cent of the charge point supply chain agreed that the market is able to supply a solution within two years. Respondents to the consultation agreed that more work is required on the governance of a solution to ensure it meets the needs of consumers.
SSEN says it will now look to progress the solution by creating a technical specification with which a tender can be issued, whilst reviewing governance requirements and actively engaging the market to help drive other solutions that DNOs could use.
Stewart Reid, head of DSO and innovation at SSEN, said: “SSEN fully supports the desire to decarbonise the UK transport fleet and welcomes the recent passage of the Automated and Electric Vehicle Bill by the UK parliament that recognises the role of smart charging solutions.
“As a responsible network operator, it is our job to ensure the transition to electric vehicles is as smooth as possible, developing cost-effective, smart technology interventions to manage this demand without unnecessary upgrades to GB networks and disruption to consumers.
“Whilst we continue to work with industry to develop an enduring solution to managed charging, the proposed interim solution is an important step to ensure the UK realises its low carbon transport ambitions with no adverse impact to both EV users and electricity networks.
“We’d like to thank those who responded to our consultation, and our next steps to formally invite the market to provide the interim solution will be reviewed industry-wide to ensure the proposed option continues to serve in the best interests of GB electricity customers.”
A longer-term option of using smart meters to adjust charging rates as a means to protect electricity networks was also explored. The majority of respondents stated that the energy industry should explore implementing the smart meter solution for the future benefit of energy consumers. SSEN is now progressing a proposed modification to the smart meter specification.
SSEN’s smart EV project is funded by Ofgem’s network innovation allowance.