True Energy is a world leader in advanced smart charging solutions for electric vehicles (EV). But what do we mean when we say that EV charging is both smart and advanced? And how is it different from other types of EV charging?
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What makes the way you tank up an EV go from simply charging to advanced smart charging? And why should utilities and EV owners care?
Good answers to those questions lie at the core of our solutions at True Energy.
Here, we strap into the driver’s seat for a tour of EV charging, how we make it automatic and intelligent, and how that benefits you and the climate.
Plugging an EV in and charging it sounds simple – and in some ways that is be true.
However, several issues pop up if the EV starts charging when you plug it in and doesn’t stop until the battery is 100% full.
Charging an EV battery to full capacity every time has detrimental effects on its lifetime. EV owners also risk paying more than needed as energy prices fluctuate wildly.
For energy providers and utilities, this approach can stress the energy system, increase energy peaks, and lead to extra expenses, which in turn makes electricity more expensive for everyone, including EV owners.
To combat these issues, we need more innovative ways to handle how charging is initiated, controlled during charging, and made to meet specific requirements.
Imagine a sliding scale where an EV starts charging when it is plugged in at one end. The further away from that point, the smarter EV charging gets. At the far end, you get advanced smart charging.
One of the first stops along the way is the ability to time charging. Instead of beginning when the vehicle is plugged in, it starts at a specific time.
A little further along, you can set charging limits, like stopping when the battery reaches a certain level. A little further again, you can set a time for when the car should be finished charging.
Other stops include setting a minimum charge (safety distance) and monitoring and controlling parts of your EV charging via other systems (for example, your smartphone).
This is where we get to an often used—and also misused—term related to EVs: smart charging.
The exact definition of EV smart charging differs significantly, creating confusion for EV owners and energy companies.
We tend to agree with IRENA’s definition, which states that:
“Smart Charging means adapting the charging cycle of EVs to both the conditions of the power system and the needs of vehicle users.”
By this definition, smart charging happens when certain conditions are met. This charging should, in our view, be automatic and intelligent. By intelligent, we mean that it should adapt to changing conditions. So, if the cheapest times for charging an EV change, the charging plan should automatically change to reflect this.
At True Energy, we have developed solutions that handle all the different aspects of smart charging described above. We have added a further level of intelligence, automation, and integration that benefits EV owners and energy companies. We call this Advanced Smart Charge (ASC).
ASC leverages real-time data and intelligent algorithms to optimise the charging process. Charging is automated and can be started, stopped, and restarted to support charging with the lowest climate impacts and highest cost-efficiency.
Charging can also be controlled by either EV owners or energy companies, which provides a range of advantages for both parties. ASC is also smart grid integrated and enables EVs to participate in grid balancing, frequency regulation, and more.
For the individual EV owner, advanced smart charging leads to unique benefits, such as:
Intelligent and automated charging: optimised charging schedules based on continually updated energy data, ensuring EVs are automatically charged most efficiently.
User-friendly and intuitive: set individual charging preferences and let the system automatically handle the rest. Set-and-forget functionality is intuitive and offers seamless and convenient charging.
Cost- and climate-effective: flexibly aligned charging with the lowest energy prices or minimal climate impact not only maximises savings but also supports grid stability.
Earnings opportunities: participate in new earning opportunities through programs that incentivise smart charging practices and support the grid.
Energy companies and utilities stand to gain a range of advantages from advanced smart charging, including:
Grid optimisation: EVs become a core asset for load balancing and frequency regulation. This integration enhances grid stability and makes energy distribution more cost-effective.
Grid stability and resilience: utilising EVs as flexible grid assets mitigated network risks and increased the ability to respond rapidly to changes in peak load demand, supporting overall grid resilience.
Renewable energy integration: optimise energy consumption by shifting usage to align with peaks, such as in renewable energy production, aiding in the transition to a more sustainable energy landscape.
Customer engagement: empower users by providing innovative charging solutions that increase customer satisfaction, retention, and engagement through enhanced services.
Revenue generation: benefit from reduced operational costs associated with grid management and gain new revenue streams through advanced energy services.
