Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) bi-directional charging Phase 1

The aims of this competition are to:

• unlock and expand the energy flexibility potential of Electric Vehicle (EV) bi-directional charging technologies and business models in the UK
• accelerate commercialisation of V2X technologies and services
• increase business and consumer interest in V2X
• bring together diverse stakeholders across the energy and transport sectors to overcome barriers to V2X deployment

This competition is the first phase of a two phase V2X innovation programme with total funding of £11.4million. A separate competition for small scale V2X demonstrations is planned for 2023.

Phase 1 projects must deliver prototype hardware, software or business models which reduce barriers to entry for domestic or non-domestic use of V2X bi-directional chargers to provide energy flexibility services.

Your project must:

• have total costs between £150,000 and £300,000
• start on 1 September 2022
• end by 31 August 2023
• carry out its project work in the UK
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK

Your project must involve a minimum of 2 collaborative grant claiming organisations from across the energy and transport sectors.

To lead a project your organisation must be a UK registered business of any size, and you must collaborate with other UK registered organisations to deliver your project. Academic institutions cannot lead a project.

A UK registered business of any size can only lead on one application but can be included as a collaborator in a further 2 applications. If a UK registered business (or other organisation) of any size is not leading an application, it can collaborate in any number of applications.

The aim of this competition is to fund collaborative projects which can unlock and expand the flexibility potential of electric vehicles (EVs) using bi-directional charging solutions.

Your project must deliver prototype hardware, software or business models which can reduce entry barriers for domestic or non-domestic use of V2X bi-directional chargers to provide energy flexibility services.

Proposals must address one or more of the following challenges:

• reduce the cost gap between V2X and single direction smart charging without compromising safety or capability
• develop next generation on or off-vehicle bi-directional charging using DC Combined Charging System (CCS), DC Charge de move (CHAdeMO) or AC V2X technology
• develop innovative V2X commercial propositions different to the grid services and business models demonstrated in the UK to date
• improve consumer experience of V2X operation
• investigate V2X energy barriers and challenges to innovative solutions that increase the deployment and uptake of V2X

Your project must:

• develop a solution which can be deployed at scale within 5 years
• show a clear route to market including identifying end users and use-cases with appropriate business models
• show how the future supply chain will be developed
• show how your product or business model can be manufactured or deployed at scale
• demonstrate the prototype hardware, software or business model in a laboratory setting
• deliver a monthly report through the Project Manager to the Innovate UK appointed Monitoring Officer with progress against the project plan and financial forecasts
• deliver a final report summarising the project’s achievements against its objectives, and the lessons learnt for future activity
• deliver appropriate dissemination activities

Project participants can include, but are not limited to:

• transport sector stakeholders such as vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers and operators
• energy sector stakeholders such as distribution network operators (DNOs), energy suppliers, flexibility system operators, equipment or system developers
• end users and infrastructure owners such as local authorities and fleet operators both public and private

V2X solutions for road vehicles are in scope for this competition, including special-use vehicles such as emergency response and refuse collection vehicles. However, priority will be given to those projects providing the highest flexibility potential.

A briefing event was held on Thursday 24th March: click here to view the recording.

If you would like help to find a project partner, contact Simon Buckley, KTM Zero Emission Vehicles.