According to Energy Assets Networks’ MD, Jayson Whitaker, without further technological innovation to prevent system overload, the roll out of domestic EV charging units could lead to outages as more EV charging units are deployed.
One solution, under development, involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Project DINO (Domestic Infrastructure and Network Optimisation), a partnership between Evergreen Smart Power, Energy Assets Networks and Myenergi, has received financial backing from Innovate UK and will use AI to safeguard network integrity through two-way communications with household appliances, including EV chargers.
It is the first project of its type in the UK and will use a network-to-device AI interface to manage loads dynamically, enabling appliances to automatically dial down consumption at peak times to relieve network stress. The research project is set to run until 2022.
Networks are predicted to come under growing pressure as electrification increases in every area of life as the country decarbonises on the road to net zero.
According to Whitaker, “While everyone welcomes the move to low carbon technologies, there is also a growing realisation that local power networks may not be able to cope with the huge increase in demand for electricity as we transition to EV charging.”
By getting smarter the UK may not need to have to invest in a hugely costly network reinforcement programme to increase capacity.
