European regulations such as AFIR, EPBD, and RED III require that charging infrastructure must be smart-controllable, especially for new charge points. Bidirectional charging – where vehicles can also return electricity to the grid – is strongly encouraged due to its potential to help balance the electricity system. However, a concrete translation into technical requirements has been missing until now. ElaadNL has taken the initiative and written a guideline usable throughout Europe, defining the technical requirements for the procurement and operation of smart and bidirectional charging infrastructure.
This new guideline introduces a minimal and uniform set of technical requirements for smart and bidirectional charging. It aims to provide clarity to all relevant stakeholders. The guideline primarily compiles references to existing standards and protocols. It uses the current state of technology as a foundation to ensure the deployment of future-proof charging infrastructure in the coming years. Furthermore, the guideline provides consumers with a concrete perspective for actively participating in the energy market.
The guideline has been developed based on extensive practical experience from the European project SCALE*, public tenders for charging infrastructure across Europe, and findings from the Elaad Testlab. A draft version has been shared with a broad group of European stakeholders, including charge point manufacturers, charge point operators, mobility service providers, grid operators, energy suppliers, flexibility service providers, electric vehicle manufacturers, software companies, municipalities and provinces, research and knowledge institutions, and consultancies.
We are proud of this milestone. It is an important step toward harmonized and future-proof charging infrastructure in Europe. The broad input on the draft version shows there is strong support to jointly advance smart and sustainable charging.
This technical guideline will be submitted to the EU Smart Energy Expert Group to support the European Commission in the development of additional legislation. Smart and bidirectional charging makes the mobility transition more accessible to consumers, enhances the flexibility of the electricity system, and contributes to a stable, efficient, and sustainable energy system.
The guideline has been developed as part of the European SCALE project and the Dutch programme Smart Charging for Everyone**, which is part of the National Charging Infrastructure Agenda (NAL).
The final version of the guideline is available on the ElaadNL website.
* The European project SCALE is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101056874. More information: https://scale-horizon.eu
**https://www.agendalaadinfrastructuur.nl/ondersteuning+gemeenten/documenten+en+links/documenten+in+bibliotheek/handlerdownloadfiles.ashx?idnv=2378928