Kaluza, an intelligent energy platform, and Flexitricity, an electrical aggregator and demand response specialist, have partnered to provide a new combined grid flexibility service. The companies aim to unlock the energy storage potential of EVs and other in-home devices, providing a valuable balancing resource for the grid which could someday scale to millions of devices.

The partnership will allow domestic customers with EVs and/or energy storage to participate in the Balancing Mechanism and be rewarded financially for their participation through cheaper rates and lower bills.

The Balancing Mechanism is one of the tools that the UK’s National Grid ESO uses to balance energy supply and demand in real time. Providers can earn revenue by offering to increase or decrease their generation or demand to help balance the system. National Grid has recently made changes to encourage smaller, more agile energy assets to contribute, creating an opportunity for EV owners.

Kaluza’s technology platform combines smart chargers, V2G chargers and domestic storage batteries. Its AI software uses real-time data from wholesale energy prices, supply levels and the weather to optimize connected devices to charge at the cheapest and greenest times while meeting customer needs.

“Today, industrial batteries provide the majority of our system’s flexibility, while the storage potential of millions of smart devices in homes goes untouched,” said Marzia Zafar, Director of Sustainability and Policy at Kaluza. “This partnership is an important milestone for the industry in enabling end customers to play a role in a greener, cheaper and more resilient energy system, and be rewarded for it. Kaluza has proven the value of its intelligent software across a number of local networks and markets.”

“Electrification of transport presents both a huge opportunity for suppliers and customers and a challenge for networks,” said Andy Lowe, Chief Commercial Officer at Flexitricity. “The partnership with Kaluza allows us to take a leap forward in demonstrating what flexible EV charging can deliver to help balance the electricity system.”

Source: Kaluza