Pilot project for bidirectional charging launched

Munich/Kassel, August 27, 2024 – Amid the urgent need to implement measures for secure energy supply and climate protection, the Proof of Concept (PoC) for Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) was launched today in Kassel. The goal of the joint project by NTT DATA, EAM, Grid & Co., and T&B ChinaConsulting is to significantly advance the energy and mobility transition in Germany using the innovative technology of bidirectional charging. This involves energy being exchanged in both directions – the electric vehicle can not only be charged with electricity but also feed electricity back into the grid, serving as an energy storage system in the meantime.

Promoting the Energy and Mobility Transition
The German government is strongly supporting the mobility and energy transition. However, the increase in volatile energy sources such as solar and wind, as well as the growing adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps, pose significant challenges to the energy grid and its stability. To avoid unnecessary investments in grid expansion, intelligent energy solutions must be implemented as quickly as possible. Bidirectional charging could be a crucial factor for grid operators, energy providers, and prosumers (a combination of producer and consumer).

Focus on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Bidirectional charging supports multiple approaches, such as Vehicle-to-Load, where electrically powered devices can be charged while driving or in a parked car, or Vehicle-to-Home, where the electric car supplies power to the home. The project focuses on V2G, which involves feeding electricity from the batteries of electric and hybrid cars back into the public grid. The aim is to optimize peak loads and explore new business models for the aggregation and trading of flexible storage in the energy market. The goal is to reduce the costs of grid reinforcement and electric vehicles through the maximum use of renewable energy.

The project objectives in detail:

• Congestion management: Cost reduction for grid reinforcement.
• Grid/balance management: Reduction of peak loads through V2G and intelligent charging.
• Standardized controllability: Control of production vehicles via the wallbox.
• New energy tariff models: Testing new models based on DayAhead, FCR (Frequency Containment Reserve), aFRR (automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve), and time-of-use price arbitrage to lower charging costs for shared and private electric vehicles.
• Analysis of the use of virtual power plants (VPP) and energy clouds: Technical and economic feasibility, as well as the creation of dedicated energy clouds.

The Polestar 3, from the Swedish automaker Polestar, is one of the few vehicle models worldwide that currently supports both AC and DC charging with its V2G capability, making it part of the project design. With its 111 kWh battery, the Polestar 3 can, for example, autonomously power a four-person household for up to a week in an emergency.

Cooperation of Leading Companies
The project partners are working on developing new business models based on the use of vehicle batteries to provide innovative and attractive products for end customers, businesses, and grid operators, thereby making energy supply more resilient.

The involved companies include EAM, an innovative energy provider known for its partnership-based future solutions as a 100 percent municipal company; NTT DATA, which has extensive expertise in digitalization and consulting; T&B ChinaConsulting, which brings extensive experience in the energy sector, digitalization, and e-mobility projects as the technical architect; and Grid & Co., with experts in the IT platform that serves as the basis for implementing business models.

Sven Nuhn, Managing Director of EAM Natur Energie, is pleased about the project launch: „Our goal is to test the interaction between the wallbox, electric car, user, and backend in practice to use electric vehicle batteries as flexibility in the energy market in the future.“

Dr. Diana Warnecke, Project Manager at NTT DATA, adds: „After intensive preparation, we are proud to launch the Proof of Concept. Our collaboration will play a crucial role in driving the energy transition.“

Raymon Deblitz, Managing Director of T&B ChinaConsulting, comments: „This initiative marks a decisive step toward a more sustainable and stable energy future. By integrating bidirectional technology, we are creating new opportunities for the use of renewable energy and the stabilization of the grid.“

Georg Schmitt, Managing Director of Grid & Co. GmbH, emphasizes the continuation of the special development partnership with EAM: „Following the development of customized billing products for energy providers, we are looking forward to the next innovation boost, the development of grid-supporting services together with EAM and NTT DATA.“

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About NTT DATA

NTT DATA is a globally leading provider of innovative business and technology services with an annual revenue of over $30 billion. The company counts 75 percent of the Fortune Global 100 among its clients, supporting them in innovation, optimization, and transformation for long-term success.

As a Global Top Employer, NTT DATA has a wide range of experts in more than 50 countries, as well as a reliable partner ecosystem consisting of established companies and startups. Its services include business and technology consulting, data analytics, artificial intelligence, industry solutions, as well as the development, implementation, and management of applications, infrastructure, and connectivity. Additionally, the company is one of the world’s leading providers of digital and AI infrastructure. NTT DATA is part of the NTT Group, headquartered in Tokyo, which invests more than $3.6 billion annually in research and development. For more information, visit nttdata.com.

About EAM

Close, natural, sustainable: EAM is the regional energy partner for around 1.4 million people across large parts of Hesse, southern Lower Saxony, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. As a 100 percent municipal company, EAM ensures a secure energy supply, develops future solutions for its customers, and actively shapes the energy transition in the region. For more information, visit www.EAM.de.

About Grid & Co. GmbH

Grid & Co. supports customers in operating large-scale charging infrastructures with its operator platform, developed since 2016. This includes technical operations management, the implementation of all common usage and billing processes, and the realization of intelligent load management scenarios. Customers are often regional energy providers who are actively involved in expanding public charging infrastructure.

About T&B ChinaConsulting

T&B offers specialized consulting services in the energy sector, with a focus on digitalization and e-mobility. The company specializes in business strategies for international markets, helping its clients navigate successfully through complex and dynamic economic environments. T&B provides tailored solutions for market entry strategies and business development, and supports the establishment of sustainable business relationships for long-term success.