Monday 2 November 2015

Smart grid and EV lab opens in Europe

A new laboratory to enable electric vehicles (EVs) and smart grids to work effectively together has opened in Europe.

It aims to ensure the next generation of EVs and smart grids are "fully interoperable" and create a "single language" for all components to benefit industry on both sides of the Atlantic.

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the European Commission said: "Smart grids and EVs are rapidly evolving but we have not yet harnessed their full potential.

"Developing harmonised standards across the Atlantic will minimise trade barriers and increase the global market for innovative products and services for the EU and US producers and consumers."

Interoperability within and between EVs and the smart grid "is a key issue for the deployment and full exploitation of transport electrification", the Commission claims.

It aims to ensure effective communication and functioning of plug-in vehicles and smart grid infrastructure.

It also plans to enable further features such as automatic billing, EVs roaming and a more efficient energy management system.

The European Interoperability Centre combines four laboratories focused on energy efficiency, the interoperability of smart grids, compatibility and battery testing.

The twin facility, the US Smart Grid Interoperability Centre, located at the Argonne National Laboratories in Chicago, is already operational.