Smart EV Managed Charging Temporary management of the low voltage network Bob Hopkins, SSEN Daniel Hollingworth, EA Technology
SSEN overview Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks owns: two electricity distribution networks one electricity transmission network +100,000 substations +130,000 km of overhead lines and underground cables +100 submarine cable links We serve 3.5 million customers across one third of the UK s landmass. 2
Our portfolio 3
Drivers for Smart EV project Domestic EV charging Background Diversified Demand (kva) 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 Revised domestic ADMD including EV charging (3.5kW charging units) My Electric Avenue project: a third of low voltage networks will need reinforcement at 40 70% EV penetration; Most forecasts indicate this will be around 2030; Unprecedented scale of reinforcement. 0.0 00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 Time of day Residential EV Total Issues These are networks that supply less than 500 customers; Concern that existing commercial market mechanisms may not work at this level; Current charging infrastructure cannot be remotely influenced could be detrimental for customers in the future; Smart charging flexibility services still being developed. 4
Consequences and existing solutions Without proactive intervention, will ultimately lead to increased cable failures and/or substation fuses operating aka blackouts. Traditional reinforcement required to repair/replace these assets, calculated to be tens of billions on LV networks alone. Lead time to repair cables can be long existing rapidly deployable interim solutions: Diesel generators; Asking customers not to charge. So far, managed EV charging for local overload intervention has been shown to be: Acceptable to customers; Effective at maximising the number of EVs that can charge; Achievable with only minor interruptions to charge cycles. 5
The project Overview Innovation project run by SSEN, delivered by EA Technology; 680k, delivery from Apr 2016 to Sep 2018; Steering group consisting of broad range of stakeholders; Stakeholder input and consultation is a key aspect. Goals Tackle risk of networks not having emergency failsafe to avoid overloads; Inform a technical specification; Engage with stakeholders and seek industry consensus; Develop a customer messaging strategy. 6
Smart EV Interim Technical Solution Daniel Hollingworth, EA Technology
What are DNOs asking for? Interim solution Three main components: 1. Substation controller Monitor the network Identify when support is needed 2. EV charge controllers Receive signals that load reduction is needed Switching or curtailment functions 3. Back office Manage the devices Reporting Devices fitted by the DNO at the customers premises accept to delay or curtail charging rate Back office Distribution Substation A substation controller measures demand on the cable and assesses whether a managed charging event is needed 8
Interim solution Key functions Reduce overloads within about 10 minutes Rapidly deployable Can be fitted to all/most chargers Temporary optout mechanism Act fairly Recording features Transparency when operating Reliable and resilient 9
Can this be a procured service? Landscape is changing rapidly Investment in Smart Charging solutions is recognised DNO concern about the effectiveness of solutions at a local level Low voltage feeders less than 100 customers Local network peak is different from wider system peak 30 25 20 15 10 5 Distribution peak vs wholesale cost 1500 1250 1000 750 500 250 A backup measure is sought Temporary deployment Deployed after a network fault, or an imminent network fault 0 00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 "Agile" Price (p/kwh) Source: Octopus Energy Agile Tariff EA Technology, DEBUT Residential Demand (W) 0 10
Interim solution High level approach Recognised that network operators should seek market solutions first Model/monitor networks identify problem ahead of need Signal to market that solutions are required Assess the market response (framework needed) Market solution Non market interim solution In emergency situations, proposed to deploy a temporary non market solution (fast) and then go back and signal to the market for permanent options 11
Recent industry consultation Key outcomes Fair degree of support for temporary use Governance to limit over use Used only for defined periods Concern about interfering with market led solutions Mixed views on compensation Opt out mechanism is important Summary report published August 2018 www.eatechnology.com/engineering projects/smart ev/ 12
Next steps Production of a draft specification for the interim solution Continued debate Governance arrangements Market engagement Compensation Opt out methods Intended to feed into procurement documentation in readiness for early EV clusters 13
Thank you Bob Hopkins Daniel Hollingworth SSE Networks EA Technology