UK EV charge point operator ubitricity, a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell, has signed an initial two-year “flexibility tender” agreement with electricity distribution network UK Power Networks to implement a pilot smart charging program at selected public charge points. 

The program is designed to reduce strain on the grid by shifting a considerable portion of network use for EV charging away from peak periods. By actively managing the charging schedule of its charge points and promoting smart charging, which allows customers to schedule charging sessions to pause during peak hours over the winter period, ubitricity will help UKPN to alleviate pressure on the electricity grid, while providing convenient and fairly priced charging for drivers. 

ubitricity says that although smart charging is now possible with some home chargers, it will be the first company to introduce it at scale on a public network to optimize EV charging infrastructure for the power grid.

“We are opening up opportunities for even more people through flexible charging. Widening participation in flexibility is a key part of our plan to keep connecting low-carbon technologies to the electricity network,” said Sotiris Georgiopoulos, Director of DSO at UK Power Networks.

Source: ubitricity