V2X Innovation programme: bi-directional charging demonstrations

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will invest up to £9.4 million in innovative Vehicle to everything (V2X) energy small scale demonstration projects, under Phase 2 of the V2X Innovation Programme. This is part of the Flexibility Innovation Programme within the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

Innovate UK are delivering the V2X Innovation Programme on behalf of DESNZ.

The aims of this competition are to:

• demonstrate innovative V2X hardware and software solutions using new business models with real-world drivers in a real-world setting
• trial new flexibility propositions for a range of consumer use-cases using on-road electric vehicles (EVs)
• unlock and expand the energy flexibility potential of EV bi-directional charging technologies in the UK
• accelerate commercialisation of V2X technologies and services
• increase business and consumer interest in V2X energy
• bring together diverse stakeholders across the energy and transport sectors to overcome barriers to V2X deployment

Your proposal must:

• deliver a minimum 6 month demonstration with real-world drivers in a real-world setting using on or off-vehicle bi-directional chargers
• demonstrate using between 10 to 50 bi-directional charging units
• trial innovative V2X services for domestic or non-domestic use or a mixture of both
• trial an innovative customer proposition such as behind the meter services or grid services
• deliver a Trial Report at the end of the project

Eligibility

Your project must:

• have a maximum grant request of £1.56 million
• start on 1 October 2023
• end funded activities by 31 March 2025
• carry out all of its project work in the UK
• intend to exploit the results from or in the UK
• involve a minimum of 2 collaborative grant claiming organisations

To lead a project your organisation must:

• be a UK registered business of any size
• collaborate with at least 2 other UK registered organisations

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
• IT, digital and cyber security stakeholders, for example mobility as a service, or home energy management
• end users and infrastructure owners such as local authorities and fleet operators both public and private

To collaborate with the lead, your organisation must be one of the following UK registered:

• business of any size
• academic institution
• charity
• not for profit
• public sector organisation
• research and technology organisation (RTO)

To be an eligible collaboration, the lead and at least one other organisation must apply for funding. Your project can include partners that do not receive any of this competition’s funding, for example non-UK businesses. Their costs will count towards the total project costs. Subcontractors are allowed.

Each organisation can only lead on at most one application but can be included as a collaborator in any number of applications.

Scope

The aims of this competition are to:

• demonstrate innovative Vehicle to everything (V2X) hardware and software solutions using new business models with real-world drivers in a real-world setting
• trial new flexibility propositions for a range of consumer use-cases using on-road electric vehicles (EVs)
• unlock and expand the energy flexibility potential of EV bi-directional charging technologies in the UK
• accelerate commercialisation of V2X technologies and services
• increase business and consumer interest in V2X energy
• bring together diverse stakeholders across the energy and transport sectors to overcome barriers to V2X deployment

V2X solutions for on-road vehicles are in scope for this competition, including cars, vans, buses, freight, special-use vehicles such as emergency response and refuse collection vehicles.

Your proposal must:

• deliver a minimum 6-month demonstration with real-world drivers in a real-world setting using on or off-vehicle bi-directional chargers using DC Combined Charging System (CCS), DC Charge de move (CHAdeMO) or AC V2X technology
• demonstrate using between 10 to 50 bi-directional charging units, either existing or newly installed as part of this project
• trial innovative V2X services for domestic or non-domestic use, or a mixture of both
• trial an innovative V2X customer proposition such as behind-the-meter services or grid services which is different to those demonstrated in the UK to date
• align with the principles of interoperability, cyber-security, data privacy and grid stability, in line with Transitioning to a net zero energy system Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan 2021 and Delivering a smart and secure electricity system (consultation on interoperability and cyber security of energy smart appliances and remote load control)
• align with the Flexibility Innovation Programme
• deliver appropriate knowledge dissemination activities

A Trial Report must be submitted at the end of the demonstration period: click here for more details on what must be included in this.

Specific themes

Your project can focus on one or more of the following:

• bi-directional charging equipment compatible with a wide range of EVs
• bi-directional charging equipment using DC CCS, CHAdeMO or AC protocols
• cost reduction of compatible bi-directional charging equipment or deployment costs
• trialling new business models to increase the range of V2X use-cases, for example in public charging locations or for freight vehicles
• trialling new V2X commercial propositions for example in new markets, such as V2H, V2B or for new services or stacking multiple revenues
• providing valid and reliable data justifying revenue predictions for a range of market actors in the V2X ecosystem
• exploring the opportunity for electric road vehicles, beyond cars, buses and light goods vehicles to provide quantifiable flexible energy services, building or on-site energy management and the grid

This list is not exhaustive.

Briefing and support

Innovate UK KTN held an online briefing on 21st March: click here to view the recording and download the slides.

If you would like help to find a collaboration partner, contact Innovate UK KTN’s Transport team.