EV4EU: Let’s start talking results

The EV4EU project, launched in June 2022, is set to complete its 42-month duration within the next year and now, 30 months in, we can shift from discussing goals to highlighting results.

As a starting goal, the project aimed at developing and implementing user-centric V2X (vehicle-to-everything) management strategies that would enable the massive growth of electric vehicles.

Using V2X technology to enable the exchange of data and energy between the vehicle and its surroundings, the project has been focused on two main applications: improving tools and solutions considering user needs and creating an open platform for information exchange between systems, network operators and charging operators.

EV4EU results

From a technological perspective, EV4EU has introduced a new cost-effective V2X solution designed for use in condominiums and small businesses. The solution is patented and has already entered the commercial exploitation phase.

Another key achievement of the EV4EU project is the development of the Open-V2X management platform, which enables the management of public charging stations with V2X capabilities. This open source platform is available for use by charge point operators and offers a crucial feature: the ability to interact with system operators, facilitating participation in flexibility services.

In addition, the project has developed a solution for managing EV flexibility through a virtual power plant, enabling EVs to participate in both national and local electricity markets. A specialised solution for planning and activating this flexibility by DSOs has also been proposed and tested.

Looking at behind-the-meter needs, several methodologies and algorithms have been developed for use in houses, buildings, parking lots, companies and energy communities. These solutions are now being tested in demonstrators installed in four European countries – Portugal, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia.

EV4EU demonstrators

On the island of São Miguel in the Azores, the Portuguese demonstrator is testing V2X strategies that facilitate EV charging in homes, buildings and companies.

The demo sites are spread across three different locations: at the headquarters of Electricidade dos Açores where V2X management strategies are tackling fleet management for SMEs focused on light passenger vehicles, at the Regional Civic Engineering Laboratory testing the scenario at public buildings, and at seven houses strategically distributed across the island to address EV charging in homes. 

In Denmark, the Danish demo explores the advantages of integrating V2X strategies in the energy management of parking lots integrating renewables in two locations, Risø, a research campus of DTU located in Roskilde, and Campus Bornholm, an educational institute in the main town of Rønn on the island of Bornholm.

Despite the different settings, the installed EV charging infrastructure is identical at both locations, comprising six 22kW AC chargers each with two outlets, providing the opportunity for 12 EVs to be connected simultaneously.

In Greece, the project is testing a more intuitive platform for managing charging stations to investigate the impact of EVs on the grid.

This pilot is mostly taking place in the Mesogia area located in the Attica region.

Finally in Slovenia, the location is a business office building in Krško with already integrated PV production equipment. The facility is equipped with 10 controllable charging stations with each charger with two outlets capable of supplying up to 22kW, which can be autonomously controlled to provide behind-the-meter services.

This demonstration aims to test the impact of V2X on the electricity network, the energy market and system services.

In all the cases, the satisfaction of the users is being considered as well as the need for participating in flexibility services.

Looking ahead

In the final months, the primary goal is to complete all the planned tests and thoroughly assess the effectiveness of the proposed methodologies, ensuring that they meet both the technical and operational expectations.

Subsequently, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits offered by smart charging and vehicle-to-grid strategies in mitigating grid constraints.

These strategies aim not only to minimise the need for substantial investments in power grids and in increasing installed capacity within buildings but also to support more sustainable and efficient use of existing infrastructure.

Additionally, they facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources, enhance the resilience of the grid and enable the provision of critical grid services within local energy markets.

With a €9 million grant from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, the project brings together a consortium of 16 participant partners and six associated partners from four European countries.

For more information visit the EV4EU project site.