As more UK motorists and fleets switch to electric vehicles, the requirements for electric infrastructure are evolving. Lee Sutton, co-founder and chief innovation officer of myenergi, explores the mobility transition and reducing reliance on the grid. 

As recently as 2015, just 2.8% of car sales in the UK were electric and hybrid vehicles. Fast forward to 2024, and there were 550,000 new electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) registered within 12 months – around 28.2% of the entire UK car park. This figure will continue to climb as the UK Government’s impending 2035 vehicle ban for new petrol and diesel cars and vans approaches.

In fact, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders predicts that more than 2 million EVs will be sold in 2035, highlighting the significant shift ahead. This will undoubtedly be an important part of the UK’s 2050 Net Zero ambitions, but there are also other important factors to consider.

Rise of home charging

While the operation of an EV produces no tailpipe emissions, it still requires energy. Fortunately, here in the UK, approximately 58% of our energy generation comes from low-carbon sources. This is predicted to grow to around 99% by 2035. This means that the vast majority of EV miles in 2035 will have no direct emissions from usage.

At the same time, however, it is important to understand behavioural trends among EV drivers. Currently, 85% of all EV charging is said to take place on the driveway. This makes the widespread installation of home chargers an integral part of EV adoption and the backbone of future personal transportation. Fortunately, in mid-2022, Part S of the Building Regulations came into effect. The regulation requires all new homes and buildings to be fitted with a smart EV charger.

But with all these new EVs, PHEVs and home chargers drawing power from mains supply, how will the grid be able to manage the load?

Bearing the load

This cumulative demand presents a significant challenge, particularly considering that most motorists will want to charge their car after returning home from work. This sharp peak, which coincides with pre-established evening energy peaks is one of the reasons why the UK legislated a requirement for all EV chargers to be equipped with ‘smart charging’.

Smart charging was introduced in the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. It stipulated that chargers must have the ability to schedule charging during off-peak periods or when renewable energy generation is high, thereby reducing demand on the grid during peak times.

While this is an excellent stopgap, there is still a question of long-term grid functionality, necessitating widespread network upgrades and maintenance. Policymakers need to understand that meeting emissions targets and transitioning to EVs will also require investment in energy infrastructure, beyond the building of new renewable generation sites.

Household adaptation

While policy decisions remain with those in power, there are proactive options for all of us to consider. One example is the implementation of off-peak tariffs, like those offered by Octopus Energy, which help to further reduce grid demand by incentivising recharging during low-demand periods.

The most effective option for households is to invest in home energy microgeneration systems, such as rooftop solar and small wind turbines. When combined with a large ‘home’ battery, these allow a household to generate and store its own energy. This has two effects: firstly, it provides greater energy independence and minimises reliance on the grid; and secondly, it alleviates pressure on the national grid.

When it comes to EV charging, this stored energy can be deployed outside of peak generation time. It means that households can generate during the day, power their home in the evening, and recharge their EV overnight – all with little to no need for the grid.

At myenergi, we understand the importance of proactivity – our range of eco-smart products is relied upon by households across the UK. For example, our EV charger zappi allows users to recharge their EVs with 100% self-generated renewable energy. Households can also divert renewable energy to domestic heating systems with our power diverter, eddi. We can even help customers automatically optimise energy storage based on the energy being used, how much is generated from renewables, and their electricity tariff, with our intelligent home energy storage system, libbi.

Thousands of myenergi customers are also already playing their part through offering their devices for Demand Side Response (DSR) services, where they essentially remain ‘on standby’ for the grid at times of peak demand, and can adjust their charge rate remotely to either turn down or pause if demand is high and capacity is needed, or turn their consumption up if there is surplus generation that needs to be soaked up to make the grid work as efficiently as possible.

Self-generated

As the number of plug-in vehicles rises, eco-smart devices like these will play a crucial role in enabling consumers to be more energy efficient. We have already witnessed immense progress in the campaign to lower transport and power generation emissions. As the UK progresses towards 2035, it needs to consider the implications of mass EV adoption and better enable households to access self-generated renewables.

Further details are available here

Find more industry features here

The post The electric vehicle transition and reducing reliance on the grid appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

Rising demand for sustainable solutions is quickly transforming the electrical trade industry. In this article, Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, explains why eco-smart technology is the key to unlocking a burgeoning market and taking advantage of the lucrative opportunities it presents.

In today’s rapidly evolving electrical installation marketplace, staying abreast of tech trends and process innovation is an important part of maintaining competitive advantage. With the industry feeling the same pressures as many other sectors, the race is on to identify opportunities for cutting above the rest. All the while, businesses must keep a keen eye on the strict regulatory landscape and adhere to evolving legislation.

Innovating, challenging, learning from best practice and developing your business across a number of fast growth areas can help navigate this dynamic landscape and stay ahead of the game. First and foremost is understanding the direction of change.

Emerging trends

With sustainability continuing to rise up the national agenda, homeowners are increasingly looking to reduce their carbon footprint, lower their energy bills and reduce reliance on grid energy. As a result, investing in alternative energy and utility solutions are rapidly gaining momentum.

Mainstream microgeneration solutions, such as solar PV and small-scale domestic wind turbines, offer a simple way to take control of energy spend and live more sustainably. While common misconceptions suggest that purchasing and installing renewables is expensive, this isn’t necessarily the case.

According to consumer champion Which?, a typical 3.5kW solar PV array can be purchased and installed for around £5,500, generating enough power for a family of four. With Ofgem suggesting that the average annual household energy bill sits at around £1,717 per year, the payback period of renewables is far shorter than many may think.

But while installing microgen might therefore seem like an obvious choice, it’s important to understand its limitations. Free, unlimited energy is certainly attractive, but renewable generation can be unpredictable. What’s more, most homeowners are out of the house during periods of high generation and use most energy during low periods. As such, it’s not unusual to see users exporting surplus energy to the grid and buying it back (at a far more expensive rate) when they need it most.

In the past, this has created a barrier too high for many homeowners to overcome. However, owing to significant developments in battery technology, new innovation in self-consumption solutions and tax reliefs from the government, the picture is changing fast.

Future-proofing

The myenergi eco-smart product range has been specifically designed to maximise the value of renewable energy generation technology and improve payback periods for homeowners.

The solar-compatible EV charger – zappi – is a future-proofed solution that, alongside operating as a mains-connected charging device, seamlessly integrates with renewable energy generation technologies and allows users to harness 100% green energy. In periods of low generation, zappi can automatically optimise around energy tariffs to enable charging at both cheaper and greener times from the grid.

Alongside zappi, myenergi also manufactures a wide range of other devices, including the eddi solar power diverter and libbi, a modular home energy storge system.

The idea of smart, automated ecosystems that use renewable energy to charge our cars, warm our homes and store surplus for peak time deployment is a real game-changer. However, it’s not a vision for the future, it’s available right now.

Taking advantage of trends

The accessibility and increasing availability of more advanced green technology means higher demand and, inevitably, more inbound enquires for electrical installers. Alongside the uptick in direct orders, installers will also benefit from a greater ability to up-sell new products.

For installers to make the most of this modern tech, the main priority should be training. Efficiently and effectively installing products like power diverters and home batteries requires specialist knowledge, so installers should prepare for a boom in tech installations by seeking the right guidance and training. To find out more about the qualifications required to install renewable energy tech, the City & Guilds website contains a wide range of expert courses and further detail about how to harness new opportunities.

Additionally, installers can benefit from manufacturer-led training to get the latest guidance, tips, tricks and (in some cases) receive the best deals. myenergi brings together a trusted pool of installers that become authorised subcontractors, offering them the ability to receive free product training sessions to enable easier installation, more effective up-selling, better marketing and customer service, and even financial incentives for installing particular products.

As well as learning and development for installers, myenergi also runs the ‘academi’, which offers apprenticeships, internships, and post-graduate schemes throughout all areas of the business. It is designed for school, college, and university leavers looking to kick-start their career, or career changers who are looking to enter the green-tech space.

Staying acquainted with the latest, and most advanced solutions through ongoing learning and development should be the number one priority for installers to cut above the rest in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Taking advantage of the rise of renewables can offer exciting new opportunities and really help business boom.

For further details, click here

Find more industry opinions here

The post Eco-smart technology is the key to unlocking the renewables market appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.

With the popularity of EV ownership continuing to rise, being aware of the latest technologies is essential – especially as smart chargers become an ever-more common feature in UK homes. PEW spoke with Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, to find out more.

Growing EV demand in the UK is more than just a trend, it’s the representation of a societal and industrial shift to minimise the impact of the climate crisis. Over the past few months, data shows that a new EV was registered every 60 seconds in the UK. As a result, EVs now make up 35.4% of the UK’s new car sales – an astonishing 87.9% year-on-year increase. Considering that, just five years ago, the market share for all ‘alternatively fuelled vehicles’ was only 8%, its fair to say that the transition to electrification is well and truly underway.

EV charging fundamentals

Given the magnitude and speed of this change, understanding the various charging technologies and latest innovations is essential to meeting and predicting demand. Just as the transport industry has evolved, so too have the charging systems used to keep these vehicles moving. From rapid charging to intelligent home systems that protect the grid, novel technologies are enabling a more sustainable transport system.

The charging landscape for electric vehicles consists of three main levels. ‘Slow charging’ simply involves plugging the car into a wall socket, achieving around 2kW of power and taking 30 to 40 hours to charge an EV. This is not very common and seldom used, clearly not particularly practical.

‘Fast charging’ uses a conveniently mounted charging system and standard 240V AC supply. Depending on the home or building, the supply will determine the power available. Our zappi charger, for example, comes in both 7kW and 22kW variants, with the first designed for single-phase homes and the latter for three-phase properties. Chargers like the 7kW zappi can recharge the average electric car from empty in a little over 7 hours, making them perfect for overnight recharging.

Then comes the ‘rapid charging’. From 50kW to 350kW, users can reach 80% vehicle charge in between 20 and 40 minutes. This infrastructure-level network is designed to support long-distance journeys and not necessarily ‘daily’ charging.

The latest charging innovations

Charging technologies extend far beyond plugging in and topping up. Things like bi-directional charging, for example, which allows electric vehicles to not only receive energy from the grid but also send it back, acting as a modular, spread-out battery system. It brings some interesting benefits, including reductions in grid instability and energy storage during power outages. For those seeking added peace of mind, home battery systems are also growing in popularity, particularly among those with self-generated renewables seeking energy independence.

Another interesting idea is wireless charging. Yes, the very same used for your phone could soon be used for vehicles too. While it is likely a long way off, Tesla recently acquired a German start-up specialising in the technology. This could be an interesting solution for large parking structures and infrastructure, but probably far too expensive for domestic applications.

What is smart charging?

In the UK, smart charging is a government-mandated system that uses data and energy innovations to deliver benefits to both consumers and the grid. It enables motorists to charge electric vehicles when electricity is cheaper or cleaner. Smart charging uses internet connectivity to intelligently adapt the entire network to meet demand, optimising efficiency by monitoring and responding to peaks and troughs. As of last year, all new charge points sold in the UK were required to feature smart functionality, as well as complementary cyber and physical security systems.

State-of-the-art at home

Much of the discussion focuses on infrastructure and industry-led developments, but perhaps the most important shift arising from EV charging is at home. At myenergi, we have long championed energy independence and the integration of intelligent energy systems in domestic applications. Our smart EV charger, zappi, for example, has been designed to seamlessly integrate with renewable generation, giving motorists a ‘zero carbon’ recharging option at home.

We’re also the brains behind eddi, a power diverter that maximises the utility of self-generated renewables by using excess energy to heat water or rooms; as well as libbi, a modular battery storage system. Each of our game-changing technologies can be seamlessly controlled through the myenergi app, actively facilitating the transition to electrification.

Ready to charge?

The path to electrification is not simply about shifting from fossil fuel to electric vehicles, it is also a transition to smarter home energy systems and a robust, powerful charging infrastructure. As the UK continues to legislate more sustainable technologies for new build homes and charging networks, existing homeowners are also seeking eco-smart solutions. From basic wall-mounted chargers to complete home energy smart systems managing renewable generation and vehicle bi-directional charging, the landscape is a dynamic full of potential.

For more information, click here

The post Jordan Brompton gives updates on the latest EV charging technologies | Myenergi appeared first on Professional Electricians Wholesaler.