EDF and Pod Point introduce new smart charging initiative to help balance the grid
- Electric vehicles will remotely sync charging to electricity demand forecasts
- Participants will be rewarded for agreeing to avoid charging at times of peak demand
- The pilot aims to explore opportunities for flexibility and supporting a greener energy system
EDF, Britain's largest generator of zero carbon electricity, is to collaborate with Pod Point, one of the UK’s largest EV charge-point providers to homes and businesses, on a new Smart Charging pilot.
The initiative aims to optimise EV charging schedules based on day-ahead electricity demand forecasts. By shifting customers’ electricity use to off peak hours, the product will help reduce carbon emissions and support a greener energy system.
As part of the initial six-month pilot period, selected Pod Point customers will be incentivised for participating in the pilot, which will enable Pod Point to adjust charging schedules and pause charging sessions by up to four hours between 16:00 and 20:00 when wholesale energy demand is typically at its highest.
The partnership will serve as a crucial avenue for advancing how these assets engage with the energy system. Additionally, it will provide insights on the extent of flexibility these assets offer.
Stuart Fenner, Wholesale Market Services Commercial Director at EDF, said: "We are delighted to partner with Pod Point on this Smart Charging pilot, which combines EDF's expertise in energy forecasting and commitment to helping Britain achieve net zero, with Pod Point's innovative charging solutions. Through the optimisation of EV charging, our aim is to help customers save cash and carbon, whilst at the same time, advancing the transition to a greener future.”
Commenting on the pilot, Pilgrim Beart, VP Grid at Pod Point said: “We’re delighted to gain access to EDF’s powerful flexibility trading capability, and we’re excited to contribute to the innovations in this space as the world of EV flexibility continues to grow and evolve.”
By harnessing the power of data and innovation, EDF continues to lead the way in delivering sustainable energy solutions that benefit customers and accelerate the transition to more low carbon and renewable electricity sources.
The results of this initial product pilot will play a crucial role in shaping future offerings for EV drivers, aiding the comprehension of customer behaviours and how EVs can adapt to real-time market fluctuations. Aggregation stands as a pivotal facilitator of household flexibility, and this initiative will offer EDF the opportunity to assess fundamental procedures and data streams on a collective EV scale.
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission, electric future and tackling climate change. It is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity(1) and supplies millions of customers with electricity and gas.
It generates low carbon electricity from five nuclear power stations and more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms.
EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and there are advanced plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.
EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with more than 1.5GW of renewable generation in operation and almost 14GW in planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland.
EDF is helping its customers, both in business and at home, take their first steps to sustainably powering their lives. Whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing a heat pump. EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK, the company employs around 14,000 people at locations across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
About Pod Point
Pod Point was founded in 2009. Driven by a belief that driving shouldn’t cost the earth, Pod Point is building the infrastructure needed to enable the mass adoption of electric vehicles and to make living with an EV easy and affordable for everyone. To date the company has shipped more than 226,000 charge points* in the UK and is an official charge point supplier for major car brands.
Pod Point is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “PODP.”
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