UK power grid prepares for era of EVs
The Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and power-engineering company EA Technology have launched the Smart EV project in Manchester. The scheme is inviting stakeholder views on the "connection, charging and control" of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK, with the aim of agreeing the best way to roll out standardised EV charging. SSEN predicts cost savings of £2.2bn ($2.7bn) by 2050 if smart technology is implemented to meet the increased demand, rather than replacing infrastructure.
A new innovation project has been launched to examine how the UK’s electricity network can prepare for the increase in electric vehicle (EV) ownership.

The Smart EV project launched its Consultation on Managed EV Charging at the Low Carbon Networks Innovation Conference in Manchester. The Consultation invites stakeholder views to ultimately secure a standardised industry-wide agreement for the connection, charging and control of electric vehicles.

The project’s ultimate aim is to achieve agreement across a number of industries on the best way to help facilitate the roll out of controlled EV charging. In doing so, it will enable significantly larger numbers of EVs to charge on today’s local electricity distribution networks, with sizeable reduction in investment costs, customer bills and disruption.

The project is being run by electricity network distribution operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and power engineering company EA Technology – funding is being provided through Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance.

Based on the current and forecast rate of EV adoption, sections of the electricity network will need upgrading to match the future demand of electric vehicle ownership.

Stewart Reid, head of asset management and innovation at SSEN, said, ‘The Smart EV project will help provide a safe and secure electricity network that can support the wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles, while reducing investment costs, customer bills and disruptions.

‘Our research predicts that using smart technology, rather than digging up the roads to install new cables, will result in an economic saving of around £2.2 billion by 2050.’

To respond to the Smart EV Consultation on Managed EV Charging, which closes in December 2016, please visit smartEV.eatechnology.com.