Digital twin platform aims to optimise EV charging management

Itron is launching a digital twin-based platform that enables electric vehicle (EV) charging assets to work in harmony with the grid.

Available globally, the cloud-based Electric Vehicle Charging Optimiser solution is charger- and vehicle-agnostic and integrates EV charging management and grid management systems to provide EV charging and energy management for utilities and charging operators.

Cost-savings

The initial focus for the solution will be on the fleet segment to address potential locational capacity constraints and the need for charging operators to optimise their energy consumption. Itron claims the solution can save end customers more than one third (35 per cent) on their energy costs through managed charging and can save utilities more than one fifth annualised considering grid infrastructure investments and ongoing management.

Itron reports early deployments for its EV charging solution include two leading domestic and international utilities.

The EV Charging Optimiser is a part of Itron’s Optimiser portfolio, which also includes Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Optimiser, Grid Edge Optimiser and associated professional services.

The digital twin-based platform that was built from the ground up and provides EV charging operators and energy suppliers with a technology-driven solution to simplify planning, build and operations of EV charging and grid infrastructure. The integrated solution helps reduce costs for project stakeholders by optimising EV-grid integration for utilities, managing charging schedules and the energy bill for EV charging operators and ensuring reliability and resiliency for both.

With Itron’s EV Charging Optimiser, EV fleet owners can plan, operate and manage their EV fleets while also integrating charging assets with other DERs such as solar and storage.

“As the new vehicle fuel, energy and power must be managed within an ecosystem of DERs to fully realise the economic benefits of electrification. Grid integration needs to be intelligently planned”

“With EV Charging Optimiser, utilities and EV charging operators have access to comprehensive EV charging, energy management and turnkey solutions to help maintain grid reliability, resiliency and efficiency. This will allow utilities to optimise their grid investments in EV charging enablement and end customers to better manage their energy fuel costs.”

At the same time, the solution can manage constraints at the grid edge for the utility through grid analytics and control and enables chargers to be grid-integrated assets that facilitate outcomes like vehicle-to grid (V2G) and other grid resiliency functions. 

Itron enables utility EV programme managers and transportation electrification managers to set up, deploy, monitor and manage end-to-end EV charging programmes, including customer consulting and advisory, enrolment, deployment and ongoing management. Utility charging-as-a-service (CaaS) programmes or make-ready programmes are both supported.