Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NPG_NIA_053 | |
| Title | Power Wheels | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Demographics) 25%; Energy Efficiency(Transport) 25%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 50%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact Northern Powergrid |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 February 2025 | |
| End Date | 31 July 2025 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £350,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | ||
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Powergrid |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (Northeast) Limited |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NPG_NIA_053 |
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| Objectives | Energy Flexibility from EV Charging, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies represent significant advancements in energy storage and distribution. V2H allows an electric vehicles battery to act as a power source for a household, providing critical energy during outages or peak demand times. This is especially important for homes reliant on medical equipment that cannot afford power interruptions.Flexible charging of EVs offer immediate opportunities to reduce bills for vulnerable customers, particularly when aggregated at a large scale. V2H enables the EVs battery to function as a continuous power source for the home, especially during electricity outages, which is vital for families dependent on medical equipment. It also enables homes to store energy during low prices periods and use it during the high price periods, lowering energy costs for those most in need, such as households with higher bills due to essential medical equipment. When used as a VPP, such systems can also provide frequency response, respond to DSO flexibility services, and support LV networks by managing demand. By forming a grid-supporting VPP, Power wheels will optimise existing assets without the need for new infrastructure, making it a socially responsible solution. There are also opportunities to deploy advanced software and AI for real-time monitoring and dynamic control, further enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of the VPP. This initial research phase shall conduct the underlying research, aiming to demonstrate the evidence required to move towards more in depth, future demonstrator phases. Stage 1Conceptual Investigation and Feasibility StudyExplore the technical feasibility of integrating large numbers (000s) Motability EVs into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)Assess the potential for leveraging Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies for vulnerable householdsStage 2End-User Research and EngagementConduct research into the perspectives and needs of vulnerable households, particularly those with disabled members, to ensure the project is designed to meet their specific requirements.Stage 3Energy Network Impact Assessment:Assess at a high-level, the potential benefits and impact of the Power Wheels VPP on local, regional and national energy networks, focusing on grid stability, demand balancing, and infrastructure and investment requirements.Stage 4Financial Model Development and AnalysisDevelop and analyse a financial model that outlines the potential costs, savings, and revenue streams associated with the Power Wheels project, including benefits to vulnerable households and energy networks.Stage 5 Transition Planning and Pilot Preparation:Develop a detailed plan for transitioning from the initial research phase to a larger, scalable trial Selection of pilot sites, partnerships, and monitoring frameworks Stage 1To explore the technical feasibility of integrating large numbers (000s) Motability EVs into a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and assess the potential for leveraging Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies for vulnerable households.Measure: Feasibility Report that details V2H/V2G integration requirements and VPP potential for vulnerable households.Stage 2To conduct research into the perspectives and needs of vulnerable households, particularly those with disabled members, to ensure the project is designed to meet their specific requirements.Measure: End-User Research conducted with ~6-10 vulnerable consumers to identify needs, preferences, and barriers for vulnerable households.Stage 3To assess at a high-level, the potential benefits and impact of the Power Wheels VPP on local, regional and national energy networks, focusing on grid stability, demand balancing, and infrastructure and investment requirements.Measure: Energy Network Impact Assessment that evaluates grid stability and demand balancing benefits.Stage 4Develop a Financial Model demonstrating the value of the Power Wheels project.Measure: Model outlines costs, savings, and benefits for vulnerable households.Stage 5To develop a plan for transitioning from the initial research phase to a trial phase.Measure: Transition Plan outlines pilot site selection and partnership strategies that can be used to scale the project in future phases and can include preparation for a SIF application. | |
| Abstract | The rising costs of energy, coupled with high poverty rates, disproportionately impact vulnerable households, especially those with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities. Statistics reveal that the proportion of working age disabled people living in poverty is 27%, and their energy bills can be significantly higher than average (Scope, 2022). These costs are forcing many of these families to go without heating or essential medical equipment. As electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows, particularly within the Motability scheme, there is an urgent need to address the energy demands of these vulnerable populations by making the most of emerging technology and maximising the benefits of flexible EV Charging. | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 09/04/25 | |
