Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in Milton Keynes can now apply to trial domestic smart chargers, vehicle to grid (V2G) chargers and home battery storage, with the option to keep the equipment at the end of the project.

The Domestic Energy Balancing EV Charging project aims to trial a range of charging technologies, using CrowdCharge’s digital charger and battery energy management platform, which can be used to reduce demand on electricity networks, and which are due to be introduced in the UK energy market in the next 2-3 years.

The project is investigating ways to balance the peaks of electricity use associated with charging electric vehicles at home. CrowdCharge is delivering the trial on behalf of Milton Keynes Council, with Flexitricity as the energy demand response partner.

Councillor Martin Gowans, cabinet member for planning and transport at Milton Keynes Council, said: “The Domestic Energy Balancing EV Charging project is one of four pioneering trials which will place Milton Keynes at the forefront of developments in electric vehicle charging technology.

“The trials, which are part of the city’s Go Ultra Low programme, will focus on advancing and testing new technologies. They will run in the city until December 2021 and the results will be published in early 2022. The trials have the potential to impact on the charging options available to consumers in the future.”

Trial participants will receive an incentive reward from the value of £10 per month, assuming minimum participation parameters are met, such as charging their EV for a full cycle ten times per month over the 12-month trial duration.

Participants will also be given the option to keep the technologies at the end of the trial for ownership transfer fees of £100 for the smart charger, £250 for the V2G charger and £250 for the stationary battery storage device.

The learning from the project will assist Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and the wider electricity industry to manage the peaks in electricity demand caused by charging electric vehicles and understand how new technologies may impact the system.

Mike Potter, chief executive officer at CrowdCharge, said: “It’s our passion at CrowdCharge to show the world how low carbon technology such as EVs can not only be accommodated in the electricity system but can also help everyone to use more renewable energy.

“Milton Keynes continues to be at the forefront of the adoption of these technologies and we are really pleased to be a part of its vision for low carbon living.”

An assessment of the technologies, and how they can work together effectively, will be published at the end of the trial.

Applications for the Domestic Energy Balancing EV Charging project is now open. No home visits will take place during the current COVID-19 restrictions; the timescales for charger installations are subject to confirmation based on government advice in relation to coronavirus.

For more information and to apply to join the project, click here.

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