Kiwigrid enables affordable, grid-optimized EV charging
The new technology helps to relieve demand on the grid at peak times and to avoid unnecessary grid expansion.
Kiwigrid, the IoT company for decentralized energy and e-mobility,now enables grid-optimized EV charging. As part of the FlexHub research project, MITNETZ STROM is testing the new charging mode in a field test with end customers.
The boom in e-mobility presents grid operators with a major challenge. Intelligent grid management is needed to avoid peak loads and expensive grid expansion. Flexible assets such as EVs play a key role: By shifting their loads, we can relieve the grid during peak periods, ensuring the existing grid is used efficiently and avoiding unnecessary grid expansion. It also benefits EV owners.
Since April, end customers have tested Kiwigrid’s new grid-friendly charging mode in a field test by MITNETZ STROM that forms part of the FlexHub research project. The solution is based on Kiwigrid’s white-label product TIH.homecharge and the energy service platform KiwiOS.
In the MyFlex app, users can select the new offer (“Save Costs” or “Save CO2”) and view the time-based grid usage fees that form part of time-of-use tariffs throughout the day. Once EV drivers have set their desired departure time, the required charge is calculated automatically. This process is a customer-friendly alternative to hard interventions by grid operators, where the charging process cannot be optimized according to the EV drivers’ preferences. The app offers transparency and is easy to use. The technology ensures the EV is charged and ready to go at the desired time.
Intelligent, affordable charging that stabilizes the grid makes e-mobility even more attractive. EV owners save energy costs and make an active contribution to the energy transition. And as flexible assets, EVs will make a positive contribution to the energy system of the future.
In addition to grid-optimized EV charging, Kiwigrid already offers intelligent, solar-optimized EV charging with self-produced energy. This allows EV owners to optimize their self-consumption, save considerable annual electricity costs and greatly reduce their carbon footprint.
„Our TIH.homecharge product makes a vital contribution to sustainable charging that benefits grid stability. Cost-effective, simple and reliable EV charging is both one of the greatest challenges and one of the greatest drivers for making e-mobility accessible for people in their day-to-day lives. This solution also unlocks the enormous potential of EVs as flexibilities,” Frank Schlichting, CEO of Kiwigrid.
