Leading energy software platform Kaluza today announces the launch of INFLEXION – a pioneering Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging programme with Volkswagen Group UK, OVO Energy, and Indra.
In a world first, the INFLEXION consortium brings together energy, mobility and technology stakeholders to develop V2X business models and rewarding customer propositions that will increase electric vehicle (EV) affordability and adoption.
V2X technology enables drivers to power their home with their EV, leverage their EV as a backup power source during outages, and sell surplus energy back to the grid, helping to dramatically reduce their energy and mobility costs while accelerating decarbonisation. Equally, V2X provides energy suppliers and utilities with the opportunity to engage drivers in the energy transition through innovative services, and manage the impacts of EV adoption at scale alongside increasing renewable generation.
INFLEXION marks the first real-world use of bi-directional charging using Combined Charging System (CCS) technology – to enable compatibility with most modern EV models – optimised by leading software such as Kaluza’s. The programme will not only prove the power of the technology with the latest Volkswagen Group CCS vehicles but prioritise engagement with Volkswagen Group brands and OVO Energy customers to ensure the solution delivers for real EV drivers’ needs and lifestyles.
The consortium will build on the world’s first and largest deployment of domestic vehicle-to-grid (V2G) powered by Kaluza’s software and Indra’s hardware that enabled drivers to earn around £420 a year with some earning up to £800 for selling their EV’s energy back to the grid (you can read more here). INFLEXION’s V2X will empower future EV drivers to unlock further potential from their vehicles, including to power their homes, regardless of which EV they own.
As one of the world’s fastest-growing EV markets, the UK is a prime testbed for V2X. According to Kaluza’s data, if all vehicles in the UK today were electric and V2X-enabled they could displace 60% of all gas backup generation currently active in the UK.*
The programme builds on Kaluza’s advanced managed charging software for V2X and grid services, developed over the last four years. The consumer insights gathered through INFLEXION will enable Kaluza and its partners to develop propositions that harness the full potential of V2X charging for customers, helping to lower the total cost of EV ownership and maximise the impact on grid balancing and decarbonisation.
INFLEXION, part of the V2X Innovation Programme, will be funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and delivered by Innovate UK. V2X is part of the up to £65m Flexibility Innovation Programme, funded from the £1 billion BEIS Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. Phase 1 of the project, which will focus on the development of the V2X charging solution, will begin in September 2022.
Scott Neuman, CEO at Kaluza commented:
“V2X will have a transformative effect on decarbonising our energy system but only if we make it accessible and affordable for all. INFLEXION is an exciting step for the industry to engage and learn from real EV drivers and bring this game changing technology closer to true, commercial scale. Kaluza is ideally positioned to lead this work with our advanced software and extensive ecosystem of partners.”
Alistair Shields, Group Commercial Services Director at Volkswagen Group UK commented:
“In line with our target of a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions per vehicle in Europe by 2030 and our goal to be a net carbon neutral organisation by 2050, we are committed to reducing the barriers to EV adoption among consumers, and developing commercially viable, decarbonisation-focussed solutions that accelerate progress towards net zero. At a time of increased focus on energy security, we are excited to be working with Kaluza and other market leaders on this trial programme to test the acceptance and benefits for both our customer and the overall UK energy system.”
Alex Thwaites, Head of Zero Carbon Living at OVO Energy commented:
“OVO has been leading the way in supporting customers to transition to electric vehicles and bring them on the journey to zero carbon living through exciting new products and offerings. This is not just about driving renewable energy solutions forward, it’s about demonstrating how customers can actually reduce their energy bills by making the switch to an EV. With OVO’s V2G tariff trial we saw some EV drivers save up to £800 a year on their bills. ”
Mike Schooling, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Indra commented:
“As pioneers in bidirectional charging technology, Indra is excited to be part of INFLEXION and help develop V2X capabilities even further. The consortium comprises a team of leading brands in this space, and Indra will use its knowledge and expertise to support the technical integration of CCS compatible vehicle charging.”
*Calculation: 32million EVs average export load per EV throughout peak period (0.6kW) = 19.2 GW of sustainable export load. Total Gas Plant capacity in the UK is 32 GW. 19.2 GW / 32GW = 60%.
Contact
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About Kaluza
Kaluza is the leading intelligent energy platform powering the future of energy. From revolutionising billing to smart electric vehicle charging, Kaluza’s technology is empowering some of the biggest energy suppliers to better serve millions of customers. Its real-time cloud platform transforms supplier operations, reducing cost to serve and boosting customer engagement. Powered by Kaluza, suppliers can invest in innovating for tomorrow’s customers and drive decarbonisation with smart, low carbon technologies that not only reduce energy bills, but lay the foundations for a more flexible energy system. www.kaluza.com
About Volkswagen Group UK
Volkswagen Group United Kingdom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, and is the importer of Audi, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA cars as well as Volkswagen passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The company directly employs approximately 1,000 people in the UK, and approximately 25,000 more are employed in the retail networks, logistics operations and with Financial Services.
In 2021 the Group registered 369,747 cars, achieving a market share of 22.6%, plus a further 36,718 vans and pick-ups, through our network of over 600 retailers with Volkswagen as the UK number one brand, and Audi number two.
About OVO Energy
OVO Energy was founded in 2009 and redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green and simple for all customers. The company has spent the last decade investing in the market leading technology, customer service operations and digital products to help members cut their carbon emissions. OVO is on a mission through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero to tackle the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis, by bringing our customers with us on the journey towards zero carbon living.
About Indra
Indra was founded in 2013 on a mission to create the smartest way to power EVs. With its design, R&D, engineering and manufacturing operations based in Malvern, this British company has fast become a leading EV and smart energy technology business. Indra is creating a sustainable energy ecosystem through the use of pioneering technology that integrates the car, the home and the grid.
Indra developed the first bi-directional V2G (vehicle to grid) charger. This revolutionary technology allows power to flow both ways, enabling users to control the flow of energy to where it’s most needed. This means customers are able to access energy when needed and at its cheapest and most sustainable, and it also assists the grid in balancing energy load and demand.
Indra has designed a range of innovative, high-quality EV chargers that offer the most reliable, intelligent and sustainable EV charging capability. By working with carefully selected professional installer networks, Indra’s high-quality, high-performance products are easy to install and operate; and are already in use in thousands of home and commercial locations worldwide.
For more information visit www.indra.co.uk
About the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Leading economy-wide transformation by backing enterprise and long-term growth, generating cheaper, cleaner, homegrown energy and unleashing the UK as a science superpower through innovation. The V2X Flex project, part of the V2X Innovation Programme, is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), delivered by Innovate-UK. V2X is part of the up to £65m Flexibility Innovation Programme, funded from the £1 billion BEIS Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
