Platform integration to tap EV charging for simplified load control

Swedish DERMS company Emulate Energy and API platform Smartcar have partnered to enable energy providers to use EV charging flexibility as a way to balance the grid, reduce peak demand and improve grid reliability.

According to Emulate in a release, by expanding its EV support to a wider range of models, energy providers will be able to harness the power of EVs as an energy resource.

Additionally, the partnership will help address the challenges associated with EV enrolment and retention in demand response programmes.

Emulate’s software optimises the energy consumption of devices, including air conditioners, heat pumps and EV chargers, to enhance utility profits by aggregating these devices into “virtual batteries” that can be dispatched or traded on electricity markets.

On the other end, Smartcar, which operates out of California, will help Emulate automate EV data retrieval to optimise charging schedules based on different pricing factors.

The company provides developer tools to help companies integrate with cars using a unified API, manage API connections, and implement consent management.

Additionally, Smartcar says its API helps vehicle owners choose how they want to use their car data, including on solutions for energy management, vehicle repairs, EV charging, rideshare, auto insurance, among others.

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Commenting in a release was Sahas Katta, CEO and co-founder at Smartcar: “Emulate’s commitment to energy flexibility and reliability aligns perfectly with Smartcar’s mission.

“By simplifying EV integrations and enabling proactive load control, we’re excited to help Emulate empower drivers to reduce their energy costs, support grid stability, and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

Emulate says their decision to partner with Smartcar was driven by the need for a reliable and scalable solution that they could implement quickly without straining engineering resources.

Smartcar aims to ensure accurate and timely action, like retrieving an EV’s state of charge and automatically starting and stopping charging sessions.

Smartcar says they are compatible with over 35 EV brands, integrating into Emulate’s vehicle onboarding solution.

Beyond endpoints, Smartcar’s developer tools and webhooks aim to make it easy for Emulate’s engineering team to receive data at a regular cadence while reducing server loads, reducing latency, and ensuring the accuracy of charging data.

Said Blake Davis, senior director of US Operations at Emulate: “Emulate aspires to connect to and control every energy device possible.

“While controls and market participation are our bread-and-butter, for EVs specifically, Smartcar makes it super easy to connect to vehicles regardless of manufacturer and model.”