Wednesday 23 January 2013

EU project to help integrate EVs into electricity network

A group of European firms have started a project which aims to develop tools for integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into electricity networks.

The Novel E-Mobility Grid Model (NEMO) project has been set up to support European grid operators and service providers in assessing the impact of a large volume of EVs on the power grid and look at possible solutions such as grid extension and load management. It is expected to play a key role in the continued development of electric cars and further development of smart grids in Europe.

Dr Martijn Huibers, NEMO project coordinator at DNV KEMA, one of the firms involved in the project said: “The simulation tools combine to address both market-oriented and technical problems that may result from the predicted influx of EVs on the electricity grid, such as identifying grid constraints in the network or determining the optimal use of available electricity generators.

“Our three tools will be further extended and integrated into one single tool suite to assess the impact of a large volume of EVs on both the electricity network and energy markets in its entirety. The combined project team will be able to offer cooperative services that none of the partners could offer individually.”

NEMO has been commissioned by the European Union’s ERA-NET Plus initiative, Electromobilty+, which aims to create a sustainable framework for electromobility in Europe. The group will work closely with stakeholders to ensure the tools address key market needs.