Grid modernisation and digital tools vital for EV proliferation – EY study

A robust and reliable grid network, strengthened by an increase in the deployment of digital technologies is vital for the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe, according to a new report released by EY for Eurelectric.

The study, Can utilities turn EVs into a grid asset, states that optimal grid modernisation and digital-enabled energy services and grid operations will allow customers to charge EVs quickly and reliably, critical requirements for successful adoption of EVs.

Customer experience and a robust EV charging network are key elements utilities should consider to enable the transition to EVs, states the study.

EY also found that utilities will need to transform grid capacity to resolve unpredictable EV charging and increased load.

In addition, the study states that utilities will also need to leverage digital tools to improve the visibility of the entire grid network in near real-time for the success of e-mobility.

The launch comes at a time energy demand on the grid is expected to increase owing to the growth in the use of EVs from 5 million today to 130 million by 2035.

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Up to 65 million EV chargers are anticipated to have been installed by 2035, up from 374,000 today, a development that will increase demand from charging by 30% per year will add up to 200TWh by the end of the decade.

The developments will disrupt the grid, however, EY states that any destabilizing impact will not come from demand growth, but rather from thousands or even millions of EVs attempting to charge simultaneously.

EY found that grids, which are already heavily loaded in multiple areas, could become bottlenecks if peak EV charging periods coincide with peaks in general load. Analysis of the six most common charging use cases – residential rural, residential urban, workplace, fleet hubs, overnight and highways – shows that peak load will increase by between 21% and 90%. For that reason, a ‘fit and forget’ approach to charger connections risks exacerbating congestion on already heavily loaded grids.

This is where digital-enabled grid networks and services such as demand response, vehicle-to-grid and smart and managed EV charging will play a key role in simplifying the switch to and management of EVs.

EY states that data that utilities acquire from smart grid services can help them to predict future demand from EV charging and optimise planning to meet the demand. The data can also be leveraged to implement grid reinforcements and communicate the best times EV owners can plug their vehicles to avoid straining the grid whilst also reducing charging prices.

Serge Colle, EY Global Energy & Resources Industry Market Leader, said: “Electrifying road transport is critical for Europe to meet its tough emissions targets, and regulators and automotive companies are already well invested in making this a reality. However, eMobility will only go faster if it works for the customer, which means a robust charging infrastructure that is available and convenient to use is needed. With significant investment needed in the grid and supporting critical digital solutions to combat this, DSOs are the lynchpins in making this evolution in transport happen.”

The study also highlights the need for increased collaboration between municipalities, local authorities, city planners, charge point operators, eMobility service providers, automakers and DSOs to prepare grid networks for EVs as well as accelerate the deployment of charging stations and the adoption of EVs.

Find out more about the study.