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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WPD_013
Title	CarConnect
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Western Power Distribution
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 April 2016
End Date	01 October 2019
Duration	42 months
Total Grant Value	£5,802,023
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	South West
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WPD_013
Objectives	The objective of this project is to equip GB Distribution Network Operators with the tools and solutions to enable them to manage PIV market growth by (i) assessing their (non meshed) LV networks to predict which parts of their LV network will be susceptible to PIV penetration, (ii) determining whether PIV/V2G demand control services can be used to avoid or defer reinforcement, (iii) monitor LV networks to detect PIV charger installation growth, and (iv) procure and deploy PIV/V2G demand control solutions as soon PIV induced LV network stresses arise. The success criteria of the project are defined through successful delivery of the following: 1. An LV Network Assessment Tool for DNOs (an add-on to the widely used WinDEBUT LV design tool) that: a. Analyses and quantifies PIV related stress issues on LV networks (to LV area scale), including: I. Heuristics enabling rapid assessment of PIVs on LV networks through "topological" modelling of LV networks ii. Ability to include known PIV charger installations ii. Ability to forecast future PIV charger installations based on PIV market growth and forecasts iv. Flexibility allowing for future charger rating and PIV battery size developments b. Identifies best economic PIV solution: Demand Control/V2G/Reinforcement. 2. A functional specification for a technique to monitor and understand the effects of electric vehicle charging on LV networks across different levels of penetration3. A functional specification and commercial framework for future procurement and deployment of PIV/V2G Demand/Export Control Services by DNOs to delay or avoid network reinforcement in cases where PIV installation numbers create network stress. These will be available on the market for other DNOs to use and to adopt into business as usual.
Abstract	As groups of neighbours acquire Plug-in Vehicles (PIVs), localised clustering of demand is likely to cause problems for electricity networks, as proven through the (Low Carbon Networks Fund) My Electric Avenue (MEA) project. MEA showed that approximately 30% of GB low voltage networks will need reinforcement by 2050, if adoption of electrification of transport is widespread (i.e. meeting DECC’s High EV Market Growth Forecast). This represents a present day cost of £2. 2bn to UK customers - Transform Model analysis, based on UK Government forecasts of nearly 40 million PIVs on UK roads by that time. The UK Government is committed to the electrification of transport - as illustrated by its recent investment into ultra-low carbon vehicles such as its extension of grants for PIV chargers, PIV car subsidies and the Go Ultra Low Cities Scheme. Which parts of distribution networks will be affected by PIV market growth is not understood - the MEA analysis used idealised network types. There is no tool available for assessing real LV networks to identify those at risk from PIV penetration and to identify the technical efficacy and economic viability of smart solutions (PIV demand control and V2G) against traditional network reinforcement. The MEA project demonstrated that a simple form of PIV demand control on single LV feeders is a potentially viable option for managing peak PIV induced loads. The technology used in MEA (EA Technologies Patented Esprit) is not currently technically or economically viable and would be limited to single LV feeder demand control using a relatively unsophisticated on-off control method. This project does not involve the use of the Esprit technology. Since the inception of MEA, "smart" chargers have been developed for the public charging arena, which are controllable for access and billing purposes. Alongside these smart chargers, control services have been developed and deployed to carry out the access control and billing services. These smart chargers also give the option to modulate the power taken by PIVs, giving a more refined set of demand control options than trialled in MEA. It is thought that these technologies could be adapted for domestic charger control to provide demand control services to DNOs across LV areas (rather than just single feeders). However, it is not known whether the application of these technologies to customers charging PIVs at home is technically viable and acceptable to customers. The technical challenges include: ensuring secure and reliable communications between the charger and control services; providing customers with information about the charging of their PIV; allowing the customer to state preference as to when they are charged (ensuring the control is as "fair" as possible to all); and investigating what, if any, compensation or incentives customers require to participate in PIV demand control. Also, the PIV market has and will continue to diversify with a range of battery sizes fitted to PIVs and nominal charge rates growing (from 3kW to 7kW+), making possible peak loads higher and adding complexity to the challenge of PIV demand control. In addition, vehicle to grid (V2G) services and associated technologies are being developed in the UK and abroad. The impact of mass V2G services on LV networks needs to be understood, especially as some V2G services (such as transmission frequency services) may adversely affect distribution network operations, in a similar way to solar PV generation. V2G could be a solution as much as a problem for LV network congestion, in that export mode could be used to address peak PIV demands - but as V2G has not been developed sufficiently at this time this is a poorly understood option. Furthermore, adapting the PIV demand control services to utilise V2G export mode to address PIV induced peak loads has not been proven This tool and the conflict between PIV demand control to meet DNO DSR needs and other services V2G can provide has not been investigated. This project will use three methods to enable DNOs to identify which parts of their network are likely to be affected by PIV/V2G uptake, and whether PIV demand control services are a cost effective solution to avoiding or deferring reinforcement on vulnerable parts of their networks. Method 1: Modelling This project will provide DNOs with an assessment tool to predict where PIV/V2G market penetration may cause network problems. This tool will, firstly, enable assessment of all (non-meshed) LV networks in a DNO’s license areas to identify those most likely to be affected by PIV penetration. Secondly, the tool will enable more detailed assessment of those LV networks identified as being susceptible to PIV penetration to identify the level of PIV penetration that would present a problem and trigger reinforcement and enable assessment of PIV demand control and V2G as solutions to avoid or defer reinforcement. Method 2: Monitoring This project will develop an algorithm deployable on an existing substation monitoring facility that will enable the effect of PIVs on a LV network to be retrospectively analysed and allow the measureable impact to be compared against the modelling tool output. Method 3: Mitigation This project will adapt existing smart charger technology, including V2G chargers as they become ready to deploy and existing commercial charger management services and deploy these in a mass-market customer trial to prove the technical/economic viability of PIV/V2G demand control to avoid or defer network reinforcement and to prove that such systems are acceptable to customers. The customer trial will include a wide range of PIVs, with a range of battery sizes and charging rates to prove such systems can be deployed in a future with a diverse PIV market.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/08/18