Project CHARGE develops tools to id best locations for EV charge points

GB’s SP Energy Networks has led the development of a new tool to identify the best places to install public electric vehicle (EV) charge points.

The tool named ConnectMore, one of the main outputs from the project, comprises an interactive map and cost calculator for users such as local authorities, property developers, site owners and charge point operators to investigate current and future transport patterns alongside electricity network capacity and thereby pinpoint the best locations for EV charge points.

The tool also issues an immediate quote for connection to the electricity network to determine the cost-effectiveness of the potential site.

“One of the biggest barriers to making the switch to electric vehicles is the availability of public charge points – especially for those drivers who don’t have the ability to install their own chargers at home,” comments Liam O’Sullivan, SP Energy Networks’ Licence Director for the Manweb region.

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“The Charge project has tackled this issue head-on with innovative solutions that provide the data and insight to create a public charging infrastructure that will support all EV drivers – both now and in the future.”

The project ran in the Manweb region in northern England and north and mid-Wales between January 2019 and December 2022, with support from the regulator Ofgem.

Working in partnership with mobility and software specialists PTV Group, Smarter Grid Solutions and EA Technology, the project combined transport and electricity network planning data to better understand where electric vehicle charging demand will occur in the period to 2050 and consider how this data could be used to speed up the rollout of public charge points to make EVs a more realistic option for more people.

The project also identified how smart charging connections can be used by SP Energy Networks and other distribution network operators to manage energy consumption from public charge points in real time and keep electricity demand within the capacity limits of the existing network.

The Charge Project developed new methodologies to enable charge points to be connected quicker and without the need for expensive grid upgrades, maximising the use of existing network assets.