The key to smart charging: your comprehensive guide

Key terms unlocked

Smart charging

Definition: The intelligent control of an electric vehicle's charging process, based on factors like current electricity prices, the availability of solar or wind power, and the overall load on the power grid. Its primary goal is to reduce costs, maximise the consumption of green energy, and help stabilise the grid.

Wanting to learn more? Read up on the topic in our blog: Smarter, cheaper and greener - smart charging made easy for you

Load Balancing

Definition: The process of dynamically distributing available power among multiple active charging stations that share a single grid connection. When many cars charge at once, load balancing prevents the total power demand from exceeding the connection's limit by temporarily lowering the charging speed for each vehicle. This avoids overloading the system at a specific location, like an office building or parking garage.

Learn more about how this can be applied in: Enhance your fleet's efficiency with smart charging

Load shifting

Definition: A more advanced form of smart charging that involves intentionally shifting the total energy demand for a charge to a more beneficial time. Rather than simply distributing power, the whole charging session is moved from peak evening hours (when it's busy and expensive) to the quiet and cheaper off-peak hours of the night. This provides local benefits while also reducing the overall pressure on the power grid.

Discover more about the real impact of this in: The essential role of smart charging in the energy transition.

Grid congestion

Definition: Essentially a 'traffic jam' on the power grid. Grid congestion arises when the demand for electricity at a particular time exceeds the grid's capacity to transport it. This can cause instability and power supply restrictions. Smart charging, especially 'load shifting', is a critical tool for helping to prevent grid congestion.

Learn more about how policy is tackling grid congestion in: Policy & progress: how government initiatives shape smart ev charging.

Policy & incentives

Definition: The range of government policies, regulations, and financial incentives designed to speed up the adoption of smart charging. This covers everything from standardising protocols such as OCPP, the creation of renewable fuel units referred to in the Netherlands as HBEs, the setting up of new contract models with grid operators just to name a few. These initiatives are the foundation of a stable and efficient charging network.

Discover more about how regulations are shaping our mobility futures in: The burning questions from our smart charging webinar with Stekker

OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)

Definition: An open communication standard allowing charging stations and central management systems (back offices) from various manufacturers to work together flawlessly. It serves as the common 'language' they speak. This prevents 'vendor lock-in,' giving consumers and companies the freedom to select the hardware and software that best fits their needs.

Learn more about why this is important in: Fact or fiction? 5 myths about smart charging debunked

Renewable fuel units (HBEs)

Definition: Tradable certificates that are issued when renewable energy (such as solar or wind) is supplied to the transport sector in the Netherlands. This creates a financial incentive for EV drivers to charge their vehicles with demonstrably green power. A smart charging system can gather the data required for this verification, potentially creating an additional revenue stream.

Discover more on the financial side in: The impact of smart charging on energy tariffs & your electricity bill

We hope this guide has provided you with a comprehensive and valuable overview of the world of smart charging, a technology that benefits individuals, businesses, and society at large.

Want to get the full context and hear all the details from our experts? You can watch the complete recording of our webinar with Stekker right here. (Please be aware that original audio is in Dutch. Turn captions on to enjoy in English)