TransnetBW says the pilot with Octopus Energy demonstrates that 700 electric vehicles can provide network flexibility within existing redispatch processes, with the potential to scale to gigawatt hour levels.
TransnetBW and Octopus Energy say a pilot project has shown that private household electric vehicles can be integrated into grid redispatch operations. About 700 vehicles provided flexibility to help manage network congestion.
The “OctoFlexBW” project focused on building a complete, compliant process chain – from dispatch signals issued by the system operator to controllable household charging units, including accounting and settlement. It connected TransnetBW’s DA/RE data exchange and redispatch platform to Octopus Energy’s Krakenflex aggregation system.
When congestion was predicted, TransnetBW generated dispatch signals and sent them to the aggregator through standardized interfaces. These were converted into control commands for EV charging points, allowing charging sessions to be shifted or shortened to relieve the grid.
The partners say that all required process steps have been fully implemented, tested and automated. These include planning data on the availability of flexibility, communications aligned with the German Redispatch 2.0 framework and accurate accounting of delivered load shifts.
With approximately 700 vehicles, the project achieved a daily dispatch volume of approximately 2 MWh. Scaled up, the results suggest significant potential: a fleet of one million electric vehicles could provide several gigawatt hours of flexibility per day and cover a significant portion of current redispatch demand.
Participants merely set a target charging status at a certain time, such as a full battery by morning. Within that constraint, the aggregator optimized charging based on electricity prices and grid conditions. The partners report no noticeable impact on user comfort, while households benefited from lower rates.
Based on the findings, the companies argue for an evolution of the redispatch rules towards a more market-based model. A proposed “Redispatch 3.0” framework would allow aggregators to offer flexibility directly through price signals, although this would require regulatory changes and further digitalization of the electricity grid, including broader deployment of smart meters.
The project also highlights the growing role of flexible demand as transport and heating electrify. In addition to electric vehicles, heat pumps, home batteries and other distributed consumers can also contribute to congestion management, reducing redispatch costs and dependence on fossil fuel power plants.
Following the completion of OctoFlexBW, the partners are preparing a follow-up project, “DataFleX”, to integrate additional vehicles and technologies and scale up the model. They also assess whether the approach can be extended to other network levels and European markets.
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