SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has partnered with Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) in an £8.5mn project designed to test the best ways to charge electric vehicles (EVs) at public venues, service stations and homes without their own driveways. Announced by Smarter Grid Solutions on Wednesday 10 April, the project will test EV technology and procedures in Liverpool, North Wales and parts of Cheshire and Shropshire that could then be rolled out across the country. The project will investigate several smart charging solutions including staggered charging on a street-by-street basis, timed charging schedules and controlling the charging rate based on network measurements. Other possible solutions include tying the chargers to storage batteries within homes and linking them to solar panels, wind turbines or utility-scale batteries connected to the wider grid. SGS’ software will be used to manage the charging of the increase in EVs.
