IBM Case Studies Optimization algorithms minimize the impact of electric vehicle charging on grid congestion

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	Optimization algorithms minimize the impact of electric vehicle charging on grid congestion IBM

Optimization algorithms minimize the impact of electric vehicle charging on grid congestion

IBM

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms
Applicable Industries	Utilities
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation
Use Cases	Energy Management System Vehicle Telematics
Services	Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services Data Science Services
Challenge	The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland was facing a challenge with its large-scale electric vehicle (EV) program. The increased demand for electricity due to EV charging was potentially destabilizing the grid. ESB needed a solution to optimize the charging load without negatively impacting the consumer experience. Additionally, they wanted to provide customers with a way to optimize their consumption by aligning their usage patterns with energy pricing fluctuations. Read More
About Customer	The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is a leading company in the energy utility sector in Ireland. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Dublin, ESB is a vertically integrated utility. The organization employs approximately 7,800 people. Its ESB Networks division owns and operates electricity transmission and distribution systems for all electricity customers and all generators and suppliers of electricity in the Republic of Ireland. Read More
Solution	ESB implemented the IBM Intelligent Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform and IBM Global Business Services — Business Consulting Services. They built a charging solution that uses optimization algorithms to allocate EV charging capacity in a way that minimizes load strain on the grid while maximizing customer convenience. Their smart metering solution provides customers with insights on near-real-time pricing, enabling them to align their power usage to periods of nonpeak grid capacity. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms

Applicable Industries

Utilities

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Use Cases

Energy Management System

Vehicle Telematics

Services

Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services

Data Science Services

Challenge

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland was facing a challenge with its large-scale electric vehicle (EV) program. The increased demand for electricity due to EV charging was potentially destabilizing the grid. ESB needed a solution to optimize the charging load without negatively impacting the consumer experience. Additionally, they wanted to provide customers with a way to optimize their consumption by aligning their usage patterns with energy pricing fluctuations.

About Customer

The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is a leading company in the energy utility sector in Ireland. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Dublin, ESB is a vertically integrated utility. The organization employs approximately 7,800 people. Its ESB Networks division owns and operates electricity transmission and distribution systems for all electricity customers and all generators and suppliers of electricity in the Republic of Ireland.

Solution

ESB implemented the IBM Intelligent Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform and IBM Global Business Services — Business Consulting Services. They built a charging solution that uses optimization algorithms to allocate EV charging capacity in a way that minimizes load strain on the grid while maximizing customer convenience. Their smart metering solution provides customers with insights on near-real-time pricing, enabling them to align their power usage to periods of nonpeak grid capacity.

Impact #1	The solution reduced average electricity consumption during peak hours by nearly 9 percent among households using smart meters.
Impact #2	The charging solution helps reduce peaks in consumption and avoid grid congestion, thus enabling ESB to avoid expensive upgrades to the transmission or distribution infrastructure.
Impact #3	The company expects its overall grid stabilization efforts to improve network reliability and enable faster recovery.

Impact #1

The solution reduced average electricity consumption during peak hours by nearly 9 percent among households using smart meters.

Impact #2

The charging solution helps reduce peaks in consumption and avoid grid congestion, thus enabling ESB to avoid expensive upgrades to the transmission or distribution infrastructure.

Impact #3

The company expects its overall grid stabilization efforts to improve network reliability and enable faster recovery.

Benefit #1	The company expects its overall grid stabilization efforts to save EUR200 million annually in service-level penalties.

Benefit #1

The company expects its overall grid stabilization efforts to save EUR200 million annually in service-level penalties.

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Overview

Optimization algorithms minimize the impact of electric vehicle charging on grid congestion

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit