Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has decided it wants to monitor customers charging electric vehicles so that it can adjust the level of charging if the local network is likely to fault. Consumers would be monitored – with permission – from the local substation.
SSE now plans to create a technical specification with which a tender can be issued, while reviewing governance requirements and engaging the market to help drive other solutions that distribution network operators (DNOs) could use.
The decision follows a consultation that received responses from energy market participants, DNOs, local government and NGOs, consumer bodies, consultants, energy suppliers, charge point supply chain representatives and representatives from the automotive industry. SSEN said, “The majority of responses to the consultation determined managing charging to prevent overload of local electricity networks to be in the best interest of customers, with 78% of the charge point supply chain agreeing that the market is able to supply a solution within two years.”
Respondents said, however, that more work is required on the governance of a solution to ensure it meets the needs of consumers.
The DNO said the monitoring was an ‘interim’ solution. It was “not intended to impede demand-side response offerings from a flexible energy market, but would only come into play if the market is unable to deliver and the integrity of local electricity networks was at risk.” Most of the consultation responses wanted a smart meter solution for the long term. SSEN is now progressing a proposed modification to the smart meter specification.
Stewart Reid, head of DSO and innovation at SSEN, said: “Whilst we continue to work with industry to develop an enduring solution to managed charging, the proposed interim solution is an important step to ensure the UK realises its low carbon transport ambitions with no adverse impact to both EV users and electricity networks.”
Further reading
Proposal over EV charging control sets DNOs at odds with new flex market
Network review could see EV users offered higher-priced connection to guarantee peak-time charging