Results unveiled from the EV charging pilot collaboration between Ford Pro and Southern Company
In a pioneering six-month pilot program, Ford Pro and Southern Company have collaborated to test managed charging for fleet electric vehicle (EV) operations. The company behind the energy management algorithm used in this program was Siemens.
The pilot, which involved 200 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup trucks and 150 Level 2 Ford Pro Chargers, aimed to evaluate the impact of managed charging on the electric grid. The algorithm, developed by Ford Pro, was found to be effective in shifting charging within the drivers' existing charging window, ensuring they received the expected energy from a charging session.
One of the key findings from the pilot was the ability to reduce total power demand. During a 30-minute demand response event, Southern Company was able to reduce power demand by 500 kW. This demonstrates the potential for managed charging to help utilities manage peak grid demand more efficiently.
The insights gained from the pilot can potentially aid in the efficient management of other electric utilities. Southern subsidiary Georgia Power, for instance, may use these findings to manage its electric vehicle fleets more efficiently and advise customers on managed charging for their fleets. The utility also used information from the pilot to help develop a framework to assist commercial customers with electrification at scale.
Ford Pro Intelligence monitored and analysed data from vehicles and chargers during the pilot, providing visibility into charging patterns and energy use. Insights from the pilot can be used to manage electric vehicle fleets more efficiently, potentially leading to cost savings. During demand response events, the average savings per charger were roughly 10 kW.
The pilot also demonstrated Ford Pro's energy management algorithm's ability to throttle chargers during peak grid demand. This feature could be invaluable in helping utilities balance their power grids and avoid blackouts during periods of high demand.
The findings from this pilot may help other customers with managed charging for their fleets, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient electric grid. As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, the need for effective energy management solutions becomes increasingly important. This pilot is a significant step towards meeting that need.
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