Ev.energy is to provide 22MW of flexibility services from electric vehicles (EVs) in a new £3.2 million contract with SP Energy Networks (SPEN).
EV owners in SPEN’s licence areas will be able to allow ev.energy to automate when their car is charged through ev.energy’s software platform.
The algorithm of the app will then ensure EV drivers get the cheapest energy rate available and charge their car when there is minimal strain on the grid.
By shifting away from peak hours, ev.energy’s platform reduces the average EV drivers carbon emissions by up to 20%, the company said.
Customers will also be able to track and access home and on-the-go charging, as well as being able to earn rewards for charging, including money off their energy bills.
This comes at a time when energy bills are soaring, with sustained high power prices resulting in a 54% increase in April’s price cap. The cap is now expected to rise again in October from £1,971 to £2,800.
“Scaling our virtual power plant (VPP) is a win for customers, for the environment and for the energy industry. All drivers need to think about is plugging their car in and setting a ‘ready-by time’ – its ultimate convenience,” William Goldsmith, head of grid services at ev.energy, said.
It follows ev.energy becoming the first software platform to successfully demonstrate commercially shifting energy consumption from the power grid using only electric vehicles in December 2019, while in 2020 it became the first company to win a flexibility tender using domestic EVs.
Meanwhile, earlier this year ev.energy secured £295,000 from Innovate UK as part of UK Research and Innovation’s Prospering from the Energy Revolution programme, taking the total funding secured from the programme to £754,000.
The new contract with SPEN will see ev.energy deliver flexibility services across central and southern Scotland starting in May 2023, with the qualification and bidding process facilitated by Piclo.