Energy regulator Ofgem is seeking system reforms aimed at supporting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and accommodating more renewables and battery storage capacity amid the “radical transformation” of the UK’s power grid, it announced today. With more intermittent forms of clean energy coming online in addition alongside increasing electrification of transport, Ofgem said more flexible use of the energy system was needed to allow growing numbers of EVs to be charged from the existing grid at the same time as reducing the need to build expensive new power stations and extra grid capacity.
Business Green 23rd July 2018 read more »
British electric car drivers face having to pay more to power their car if they refuse to shift their charging to off-peak times, in a move designed to lessen their burden on the electricity network. There are currently 160,000 plug-in cars on UK roads but rapid growth means their impact on the energy system must be managed carefully, said energy regulator Ofgem.
Guardian 23rd July 2018 read more »
People will have to pay higher energy bills if they insist on charging their electric vehicles at peak times such as early evening, the regulator has said. Ofgem said that it would introduce reforms so that by 2022-23 households that placed greater demands on electricity networks had to foot more of the bill for the upgrades that were needed as a result. The government wants to encourage the switch to electric vehicles and has set out plans to phase out the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars to cut carbon emissions and pollution. However, Ofgem is concerned that if too many drivers charge their electric vehicles at the same time, it will significantly increase electricity demand, resulting in the need for more power plants and costly upgrades to cabling infrastructure. Ofgem wants to encourage “flexible charging”, so that cars can be programmed to charge up when there is excess wind or solar power being generated, such as on sunny afternoons. Drivers would avoid placing extra strain on the grid “by shifting charging to times when there is also sufficient network capacity”. This is likely to mean not charging during the “teatime peak” between 5pm and 7pm.
Times 24th July 2018 read more »
