Announced on 17th January 2023, the plan sets out steps being taken to make smart charging the preferred method of long duration charging by 2025.
In a statement announcing the plan, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said that smart charging harnesses the potential of energy use data and the latest energy innovations to deliver significant benefits for consumers.
These include allowing motorists to charge EVs when electricity is cheaper or cleaner, allowing consumers to power their home using electricity stored in their EV, or even sell it back to the grid for profit. BEIS believes high mileage motorists could save up to £1,000 a year through smarter charging.
Energy and climate minister Graham Stuart believes the plan will ‘let people take control of their energy usage, in the most convenient and low-cost way.’
He said: “We want to make smart charging an easier choice for drivers of electric vehicles, whether that is charging on the driveway, at the workplace, or parked on the street. To do that we need to build new network infrastructure at pace, using the latest available technologies.”
The announcements build on steps already taken by government to enable smart and flexible EV charging. As of July 2022, all new private charge points must have smart functionality, and the UK is consulting on a new policy and technical framework to unlock the benefits of domestic smart, flexible energy, and enhance its cybersecurity.
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Through the plan, government has promised to improve publicly available information and evidence on smart charging, supporting the implementation of robust consumer service standards and ensuring that private charge points are secure and compatible with the latest energy innovations.
Ofgem will work with the government to remove current barriers to the smart charging market, while making sure the energy system is ready to respond to the upturn in energy demand that EVs will bring.
The government has also announced £16m funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) for smart charging technologies.
Among those receiving funding through the V2X (Vehicle to Everything) Innovation Programme for prototype hardware, software and business models are Otaski Energy Solutions, to develop a smart street lamppost; EV Dot Energy Ltd, for its ‘V2X-Flex’ bi-directional charger project; and Agile Charging Ltd for ‘BEVScanV2X’, a project aiming to develop technology that can overcome battery degradation.
Through the Interoperable Demand-Side Response (IDSR) Programme, companies receiving funding include Samsung Electronics UK and Passiv UK, for their Energy Smart Heat Pump project; Landis & Gyr UK, to demonstrate how DSR technology can help manage a renewables-based electricity grid; and Carbon Co-op, to explore benefits and potential barriers to an accessible approach to domestic DSR.
Daniel Auger, IEEE senior member and reader in electrification, automation and control at Cranfield University said that while industry welcomes the new plans, there are many things to consider.
“As it stands, we do have the right technology for energy storage – in fact the range of technologies we can use is broader than that. However, one of the biggest challenges facing the EV market is distribution and scaling up production,” Auger commented.
“As this plan suggests, charging stations need to be spread evenly throughout our cities; consumers should be able to charge conveniently, and more importantly, they need access to a fast charge.
“We also need to understand how to re-use, recycle and dispose of used batteries safely and efficiently. Lithium-ion batteries may prove helpful given their high technology readiness level. However, this will take time and will naturally require further investment if this new approach is to work.”
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