Following the Transatlantic Economic Council’s decision to promote EV and smart grid interoperability, the European Commission has inaugurated the European Interoperability Centre. Together with its partner facility, the US Smart Grid Interoperability Center, the new lab’s mission is to ensure that the next generation of EVs and smart grids are fully interoperable, based on harmonized standards, technology validation and testing.
The European Commission notes that interoperability between EVs and the smart grid is “a key issue for the deployment and full exploitation of transport electrification, the integration of renewable energy sources and storage, and the deployment of innovative energy-related services to consumers.”

Interoperability will not only allow for communication among plug-in vehicles, their recharging hardware and the smart grid, but should also enable features such as automatic billing, EV roaming and more efficient energy management.
The new facility consists of four labs focused on vehicle energy efficiency; the interoperability of smart grids; electromagnetic compatibility; and battery testing.
“Smart grids and electric vehicles are rapidly evolving, but we have not yet harnessed their full potential,” said European Commission VP Maroš Šefčovič. “Developing harmonized standards across the Atlantic will minimize trade barriers and increase the global market for innovative products and services for EU and US producers and consumers.”
Source: European Interoperability Centre via Green Car Congress