The GridMotion Project Investigates Smart Charging

×

PSA, Direct Energie, Enel, Nuvve, Proxiserve and the Technical University of Denmark have launched the GridMotion project, with the aim of investigating how plug-in electric vehicles can have a beneficial impact on grid stability and user income by responding to current electricity demand and through ancillary services.

Two complementary user groups will participate in the project:

• 50 Peugeot iOn, Partner Electric, Citroën C-ZERO or Berlingo owners will test smart unidirectional-only charging of the EV batteries, in line with the owners’ mobility needs, when electricity prices are generally lower, such as night-time in France.
• A fleet of 15 B2B EV Peugeot iOn or Citroën C-ZERO company cars with Enel bidirectional charging stations will test smart charging and discharging (V2G services). This fleet will provide grid balancing services through short charging and discharging cycles, again carried out in line with mobility needs. Charging is carried out when there is surplus electricity supply on the grid, while discharging is expected to be carried out when there is surplus electricity demand on the grid.

The collaboration partners will have the following roles:

• PSA will be responsible for managing the project and recruiting participants.
• Direct Energie will act as an aggregator towards RTE and will make bids in the electricity and reserve markets by taking advantage of EV battery flexibility.
• Nuvve will be responsible for controlling the charging/discharging patterns of the participating electric vehicles.
• Enel will provide the bidirectional charging stations and its expertise in smart grids.
• Proxiserve will install the B2C and B2B charging stations.
• The Technical University of Denmark will provide the necessary academic support and testing systems.