Electric Nation excites at the flagship event for energy networks innovation
Western Power Distribution was proud to host its Network Innovation Allowance project, Electric Nation, the customer-facing brand of CarConnect, on its stand at this year’s Low Carbon Networks & Innovation (LCNI) conference.
Taking place from 11-13 October 2016 at the iconic Manchester Central, and hosted by Electricity Northwest, the event provided unparalleled networking opportunities in addition to project-focused presentations and workshops to explore key learning from electricity and gas network innovation projects.
The CarConnect stand at LCNI
Electric Nation, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) trial, is revolutionising domestic plug-in vehicle charging. By engaging 500-700 plug-in vehicle drivers in trials, the project is answering the challenge that when local electricity networks have 40% – 70% of households with electric vehicles, at least 32% of these networks across Britain will require intervention. Electric Nation is pioneering our electric future.
The Electric Nation stand included a model which demonstrates how controlled charging of EVs could help to facilitate increasing numbers of EVs on UK roads. This model proved to be a huge draw for delegates, who were able to explore the concept of electric vehicle managed charging, and vehicle to grid technology.
Electric vehicles dominated one of the main sessions on the second day of the event, chaired by Scottish and Southern Electricity Network’s (SSEN) Stewart Reid. EA Technology’s Gill Nowell joined the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s Tom Younespour, Tesla’s Alex Frank, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership’s Andy Eastlake, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ representative Tim Nicklin, together with Ben Godfrey from Western Power Distribution and Tobi Babalola from UK Power Networks, for an expert panel to discuss EVs in relation to our electricity networks. Key topics included the role of demand side response in EV infrastructure, and cross-industry working to find solutions to support EV uptake on GB local electricity networks.
The launch of the multi-sector EV Network Group by EA Technology and the LowCVP took place during the session, sending a clear signal to the marketplace that key stakeholders from the low carbon automotive, electricity, Government and consumer sectors are coming together with the aim of ensuring that rapid electric vehicle uptake is not constrained by its impacts on the UK’s power grid. For further details see: www.lowcvp.org.uk/news
Another event highlight was the launch of SSEN’s Smart EV Consultation on Managed EV Charging, being delivered by EA Technology. This consultation will be of significance to any stakeholder with an interest in energy, electric vehicles, or charging infrastructure. Details on how to take part and respond to the consultation may be found here: smartev.eatechnology.com
