This project intends to encompass the necessary work to understand the value and further prepare the business for sources of network flexibility such as V2G.
Objectives
A greater understanding and use of mobile battery assets (vehicles) has the potential to defer network reinforcement and support network resilience, facilitating the connection of additional loads and low carbon technologies. It is estimated that the benefits of V2G could deliver in the order of £450 per vehicle (customer benefit) annually based on existing whole system flexibility markets. The project will carry out tests on existing and new flexibility services with the aim of being able to procure similar services under business as usual after the project.
Learnings
Outcomes
Over the course of the project, and in addition to the learnings described, TransPower has led to the following outcomes.
Significant improvement of the V2G connections process via:
- Release by the ENA of a simple and standardised connections procedure for small scale V2G across the UK which was trialed with domestic and commercial customers
- By March 2022, over 10,000 applications for low carbon technology connections, including V2G, via Smart Connect, UK Power Networks’ self-service portal. With over three quarters of requests automatically fast track approved.
- Less coordination responsibilities for domestic customers due to automated referrals from Smart Connect for fuse upgrades and automated updates to installers when work is complete
- Integration of an automated voltage rise assessment tool and update to the Smart Connect assessment logic
Eight G100 devices commissioned at domestic customer sites and installation of 3 low voltage monitoring devices.
135 domestic V2G chargers and 55 commercial V2G chargers have been installed through trials we are involved in, 135 of which are in UK Power Networks’ area.
Lessons Learnt
A key learning from the project was the approach to domestic V2G assessments, and other low-carbon technologies, that has been developed and implemented through Smart Connect. Enhancements were made to improve the accuracy of assessments and proportion of assessments which can be instantly approved. While the data sources, set points for business rules and software used could vary for each network, the approach developed could be replicated by other DNOs to enable faster V2G connections and a better experience for customers and installers.
Insight and data were reviewed from the Sciurus trial to understand the coincidence between V2G export and solar PV/battery storage, and analysis done on a substation level to understand starting voltage. As different technologies typically export at different times diversity factors can be applied, and substations voltages can be optimised to account for regional differences, which enables more accurate connections advice. Whilst each DNO would need to undertake similar analysis, these findings are important to enable safe and optimum export to the grid for flexibility services.
Whilst the maturity of the domestic V2G market has come a long way since project start, with 135 Powerloop customers onboarded, there are still only limited vehicles and chargers capable of performing V2G, and the commercial business case is uncertain. Development of the Powerloop tariff to include export will support growth in this area. The maturity of other markets (commercial, public transport) is still in the early stages, as proven by the difficulty recruiting commercial fleets, availability of hardware, software and cyber security considerations and technical issues when commissioning and meeting power quality requirements (G99).
Additional lessons learnt are:
- Bus and heavy vehicle electrification power quality needs are much lower than grid power quality requirements needed for G99 standards. While it is feasible to develop methods for site compliance, this results in additional infrastructure needed at the depot.
- An increasing number of consumers have multiple generating devices in their homes, such as PV and V2G. One of the outcomes of Powerloop has been to develop a G100 export limiting scheme compatible with V2G. Whilst the trial has successfully commissioned eight devices, these devices are expensive which resulted in the loss of some customers from the trial. The alternative is to pay for network upgrade work.
- The complexity of installing hardware at sites where there are pre-existing export devices has proven to be an issue, with devices installed several years ago having limited documentation available to current installers and/or the original installers now no longer in business. As such, a key lesson for industry is for better documentation of low carbon technology installation details to enable future work.
Multiple partners are involved in each of the IUK projects UK Power Networks is supporting, each with their own discreet needs and problems. A key lesson learnt is that communication and collaboration between these partners is imperative to define a trial and inform future policy that aims to support each of these ecosystem players.
A number of comprehensive reports on the potential of V2G were published and are available through the V2G Hub. Included in these is the A-Z of V2G report produced by The Australian National University which we contributed to through interviews to share our insights developed through TransPower.
For Powerloop, the following reports provide further insights and can be found on the Powerloop website (https://octopusev.com/powerloop):
- Energy Savings Trust Best Practice Guide delivers insight into customer interest, engagement and behaviours for V2G, adding to recommendations for domestic V2G installations and connections
- Guidehouse V2G Roadmap Report delivers insight into and recommendations for network readiness for domestic V2G at scale
