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NETWORK / 8 / APRIL 2017 StandardiSing Smart Charging Sharing data about electric vehicle charging is the key to balancing supply and demand As part of the consultation for the upcoming Modern Transport Bill, the government sought submissions on whether it should require that EV- charging infrastructure possess "smart" functionality, so that DNOs and associated third parties could communicate with the technology to enable the balancing of energy supply and demand. Having received almost unanimous support in favour of enacting the powers, with 100 out of 111 submissions supporting the requirement – those who rejected it were opposed to the government interfering with the market – the government has signalled its intention to proceed with the measures. On the basis of the evidence received, it has agreed that any access requirements or protocols necessary to access smart functionality are openly available. Furthermore, the standard will also ensure that the communication of geographic information is also shared. In response to concerns about stifling innovation, the government said it would work closely with the industry to develop a full standard that would ensure any worries are considered. Finally, it agreed to allow for the possibility of exemptions for some very fast or very slow charge points because they are less likely to interact with the grid. L ook ahead to 2050, and it is expected that every new car and van sold in the UK will be elec- tric, with each petrol-powered engine being retired bringing the country closer to a purely electric fleet of vehicles. Petrol stations will give way to commercial and public charging stations, and corporate packages to enable employees to charge while working will have become the norm. If it becomes a reality, the electric vehicle (EV) revolution will play a major role in enabling the country to achieve its decarbonisation targets, but it will not come without its challenges. For every internal combustion engine that is replaced by electric or plug-in hybrid, emissions will be reduced, but pressure on the electricity grid will increase. Extreme shift Such a shi… will be extreme, but will grow gradually between now and then, and it is incumbent upon those who manage today's electricity demands to prepare for tomorrow's reality. Like the transition from traditional power sources towards re- newables, and the enablement of domestic demand response, supporting the rise of electric vehicles will bring added pressures to each and every network across the land. It is manageable today, but it won't be long before clusters of early adopters start to ap- pear in localised areas, and the effects of a high penetration of EVs start to impinge on local networks. With the number of registered EVs in the UK expected to exceed one million by 2020, now is the time that networks, regulators and policymakers should start to prepare. There is an ongoing debate about the extent to which networks should fund new infrastructure up front, because this entails today's customers paying for what tomorrow's customers might – or might not – need. Ofgem says these pressures can be managed within its current regime. Significant cash Through its innovation funding, the regula- tor has made significant cash available for the networks to finance projects that will help them understand the coming demands and develop solutions to solve them. How- ever, the regulator insists that through in- novation, bills to customers must be kept as low as possible, so the simple reinforcement of networks must be avoided wherever pos- sible. Furthermore, such costs of reinforce- ment would be high. An Ofgem spokesman says: "Our mes- sage to DNOs is that they can use the exist- ing funding we have agreed in their price control to respond to demand from electric vehicles to use the networks. "Electric vehicle use could develop in clusters in certain parts of GB, such as Lon- don boroughs. So DNOs will need to engage with stakeholders such as local authorities, central and devolved governments, vehicle manufacturers and consumers to determine what is needed. "We want to see DNOs involved in dis- cussions at a local and national level to help shape positive outcomes for both network operators and electric vehicle users." When the time comes for the networks to act, there is support available. Through the innovation rollout support mechanism, Ofgem offers up to £10 million in funding to roll out technologies or techniques that ELECTRIC VEHICLES Ultra-low emission vehicles registered in the UK Ultra-low emission vehicles are defined as all-electric EVs, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and fuel cell vehicles (which do not have to be plugged in to recharge) Source: Department for Transport Number of vehicles in quarter 10,500 9,000 7,500 6,000 4,500 3,000 1,500 Q1 2010 Q2 2010 Q3 2010 Q4 2010 Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 Q1 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2012 Q4 2012 Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2015 Q2 2015 0