E-Mobility Management

This page describes how the EW Data Exchange solution can be applied to e-mobility use cases in general. As of Q2 2023, several features specific to e-mobility are under development for the DDHub Client Gateway.

Background

Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is growing exponentially around the world, and EVs are on pace to represent a significant share of the global transportation sector this decade. Collectively, EVs represent an opportunity to both accelerate decarbonization in the energy sector and introduce innovative new business models. Emerging opportunities for EVs include:

  1. Grid balancing and demand response: EVs can provide multiple grid services (e.g. peak shaving, voltage support, etc.) by adjusting their charging patterns based on grid conditions. Smart charging systems can optimize charging schedules to avoid overloading the grid during peak demand periods, or consume excess variable renewable energy duriong periods of low demand. By acting as demand response resources EVs can help flatten demand peaks and reduce strain on the grid, thus enhancing its efficiency and reliability.

  2. Grid flexibility and storage: EVs can act as distributed energy storage units. With smart charging infrastructure and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, EV batteries can be used to store excess electricity during times of high renewable energy production. This stored energy can then be fed back into the grid during periods of high demand or when renewable generation is low. V2G technology allows bidirectional power flow between the grid and EVs, enhancing the grid's flexibility and stability.

  3. Accelerating deployment and increasing utilization of renewables: As a major consumer of electricity, EVs can drive demand for carbon-free electricity through clean energy tariffs, purchases of environmental attribute certificates, or even carbon-optimized charging. EV charging infrastructure can be colocated and powered directly by renewable energy installations, and EV charging strategies can be optimized to charge EVs during hours with plentiful supply of renewables.

While these opportunities are promising, fully realizing their potential is challenging due to complex relationships between multiple stakeholders, the highly distributed and diverse nature of EV and EV charging infrastructure, and the sheer volume of EVs.

EW Data Exchange builds on the capabilities first introduced in the Open Charging Network to deliver EV drivers, grid operators, charge point operators, vehicle manufacturers, retailers, and other EV service providers with a comprehensive and cohesive solution for sharing and validating data.

Reference Implementations

  • Open Charging Network 2.0: A next-generation implementation of the OCN is currently under development. OCN2.0 will share many architectural features with the Digital Spine toolkit, but include several e-mobility specific features including built-in standards (e.g. OCPI) within the DDHub Client Gateway, as well as the ability to run the gateway within EV and EVSE equipment, to simplify integration between EV equipment and channels hosted in the DDHub Message Broker. OCN2.0 will also feature dedicated Worker Node networks to verify and validate message routing between participants, as well as execute custom business logic involving multiple companies (e.g. smart charging, V2G, etc.).

  • Real-time Locational Green Charging: Combining the Data Exchange solution with the 24x7 Green Proofs toolkit enables advanced green charging tariffs and programs that match locally-available carbon-free generation with specific EV charging events in near real-time.

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