20. January 2021

TransnetBW and Jedlix – concentrated expertise for mobility and energy transition

  • Field test to investigate potential of electric vehicles to provide balancing energy
  • More than 100 owners of electric vehicles invited to take part
  • Successful lab test with Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE)

Stuttgart, Rotterdam. German transmission system operators TransnetBW and Dutch smart charging platform operators Jedlix are collaborating. Together, the companies are exploring the potential of electric vehicles to provide balancing energy. A comprehensive field test, the largest of its kind in Germany, is in planning. More than 100 owners of electric vehicles (EVs) living in TransnetBW's control area and who charge their vehicles at home can take part.

For a period of three months, the e-vehicles will be pooled to form a virtual power plant. In this way, the partners want to examine to what extent scattered electric vehicles that are connected to the grid at different locations are suitable for providing balancing energy to the power system. Currently, these control reserves are supplied mostly by large and medium-sized power plants.

“We are analysing in depth how electric vehicles can be used to stabilise the grid. They have the potential to provide control reserves and thus contribute to security of supply”, explains Kay Wiedemann, TransnetBW project manager.

The field test is also intended to demonstrate how electric cars can be integrated into the German control reserve market. In addition, regulatory and technical requirements can be identified during the trial that are currently in the way of electric vehicles participating in the control reserve market, and possible solutions can be developed, enabling EVs to contribute towards balancing the energy system.

“We are delighted about our collaboration with TransnetBW. With the latest incentives, the German e-mobility market has picked up momentum and could play a key role in the energy transition. This project is to further pave the way for the transition towards green mobility and energy”, says Jedlix CEO Serge Subiron.

In the autumn of 2020, ten EV drivers supported a promising lab test that was carried out under the scientific supervision of the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE). On that occasion Jedlix successfully demonstrated its smart charging platform and managed the charging processes of the electric vehicles. The test showed, on a smaller scale, how electric vehicles react to simulated calls for control energy from the transmission system operator. Even unexpected events, for example interrupted charging processes, could be compensated for in real time through smart control mechanisms and utilising other vehicles instead.

Drivers of electric vehicles in Baden-Württemberg are invited to participate in the field test. You can find more information about the field test and the requirements for taking part at http://www.jedlix.com/de/transnetbw-project.

Alexander Schilling
Alexander SchillingSpokespersona.schilling@transnetbw.de+49 711 21858-3449