Energy Web, a non-profit that creates operating systems for energy grids, has collaborated with the Volkswagen Group subsidiary Elli to develop a new smart charging solution designed to enable EV owners to charge with renewable electricity that is matched directly with the vehicle’s real-time electricity consumption.

The solution relies on a 24/7 matching algorithm that optimizes charging to maximize the use of clean, locally sourced electricity. Users can dictate the date and time of charging, the desired level of charge, and the renewable energy facility the electricity is drawn from.

In a recent test, several VW ID.4s were charged using energy from wind and solar farms near Wolfsburg, Germany over the span of 3 months. Various durations of charging sessions were tested, from just a couple of hours to several days. Each time, the platform optimized the charging schedule for maximum clean electricity usage while ensuring the target state of charge at the end of each session.

“This is the first time that an electric vehicle has been charged using a verified 24/7-matched clean energy strategy,” said Jesse Morris, CEO at Energy Web. “Advanced EV charging solutions can empower EV owners to set their own preferences for when and where they get their energy. For instance, they can select to charge using wind and solar resources, from energy assets within a 10 km radius, and target 80% charge by 5 pm, with an accurate breakdown of their session’s carbon footprint.”

Volkswagen Group Innovation is currently exploring how the solution can be further developed and rolled out at production scale. With a traceable and secure audit trail for transactions provided on the Energy Web Chain, consumers will be able to show proof of renewable energy purchases, enabling corporate EV fleets to track energy usage for carbon accounting.

Source: Energy Web