INFLEXION: “World first” V2X pilot launched for grid resilience
In what they are calling a “world first”, INFLEXION – a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging programme – hoped to drive grid resilience – is being launched by a consortium of stakeholders.
Led by energy software platform provider Kaluza alongside UK energy supplier OVO Energy and EV charging company Indra; the INFLEXION consortium consists of energy, mobility and technology stakeholders to develop V2X business models and customer propositions that aims to increase Electric Vehicle (EV) affordability and adoption.
According to Kaluza, INFLEXION marks the first real-world use of bi-directional charging using Combined Charging System (CCS) technology to enable compatibility with most modern EV models.
INFLEXION
INFLEXION’s V2X aims to establish a bidirectional system where charged EVs are able to provide power back to consumers’ homes, using CCS compatibility to allow for all EV brands to be used.
The programme builds on Kaluza’s managed charging software for V2X and grid services, which has been developed over the last four years.
Consumer insights will be gathered through the programme and used to develop propositions for V2X charging in what the consortium is calling a drive to lower total cost of EV ownership and maximise impact on grid balancing and decarbonisation.
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Energy and climate minister Graham Stuart commented: “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.
“Today’s plan sets out how we will work with Ofgem and industry to kickstart the market for smart charging, which we are backing it up with £16 million ($19.8 million) in innovation funding. This will let people take control of their energy usage in the most convenient and low-cost way.”
Scott Neuman, CEO at Kaluza added, emphasising the net effect of V2X tech on decarbonising the energy system, should it be accessible and affordable for all. According to Neuman the INFLEXION project is “an exciting step for the industry to engage and learn from real EV drivers and bring this game changing technology closer to true, commercial scale.”
V2X innovation
INFLEXION is part of the V2X Innovation Programme, which will be funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Innovate UK.
And for UK-based EV charging company Indra, INFLEXION is one of two projects for which they have been awarded funds.
The smart charging solutions company will be working on the V2X Power Module, for which they were awarded £122,968 ($151,837) to develop a new power module, based on their hardware and software solutions.
The project aims to develop an upgrade in model operations and behaviour, as well as in battery size and voltage and higher consumption within homes.
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The V2X proposal
V2X technology is on the up as an energy transition enabler, for both utilities and consumers.
Its potential lies in how it enables drivers to power their homes with their EVs, leverage their EVs as a backup power source during outages and sell surplus energy back to the grid. This is hoped to help reduce energy consumption and mobility costs while accelerating decarbonisation.
V2X further provides energy suppliers and utilities with the opportunity to engage drivers in the energy transition through these types of services.
In this way, the impacts of EV adoption at scale can be coordinated and renewables can be brought online in increasingly high levels – the load management of which can be coordinated by V2X capability.
In announcing the programme, Kaluza’s white paper, What’s Next for Vehicle-to-Everything, details the opportunities presented for grid resilience and decarbonisation by V2G charging, finding that “bidirectional EV charging offers almost three times more daily flexibility to the grid than one-way smart charging”.
The load-shifting potential is well documented and government initiatives – such as the BEIS’ programme – show how industry is responding.
And as our energy system becomes more complex, and concurrently smart, it will be interesting to follow how such pilot projects might affect the uptake of renewables, as well as the changing roles of utilities and prosumers within its ecosystem.
