ElaadNL, in collaboration with grid operators and charge point operators, has published the specification for Grid-Aware Charging using the OpenADR protocol. This standard outlines how grid operators and charge point operators communicate via the OpenADR 3.0 protocol in situations where peak load on the electricity grid needs to be reduced to prevent overloading. In such cases, grid operators send a signal to the charge point operator indicating that less power is temporarily available for charging electric vehicles.
The Grid-Aware Charging Profile enables the automatic coordination of EV charging sessions with the available grid capacity. Based on day-ahead forecasts, grid operators can send power limits for each charge point cluster to charge point operators. These limits are then applied automatically, without the need for manual intervention.
The published version forms the foundation for the first implementations and will be further developed over the course of the year.
To enable grid-aware charging from a technical perspective, a control signal must be sent from the grid operator to the charge point operator. This signal indicates that, for a certain period, charging should be reduced or even paused entirely to free up capacity on the electricity grid for other uses. This communication takes place via communication protocols. Grid operators and charge point operators have jointly chosen to use the OpenADR 3.0 communication protocol.
Also read the article about OpenADR as the standard for communication between grid operators and charge point operators.
Are you a charge point operator not yet involved in this initiative but interested in joining? If so, please get in touch with ElaadNL.
If you want to know more about Grid Aware Charging or the OpenADR specification? Feel free to contact me.