High speed power line and web interaction integrated with Fast EV Charging System

By project EV Energy

Published on 03 May 2018

Italy

Lazio

Andrea Vignoli

EU Project Manager

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About this good practice

ANCI LAZIO was involved in the "Vademecum of the National Smart City Observatory" implemented by the ANCI. The Vademecum includes practices regarding the smart city process underway in Italy including EV fast charging stations implemented in some municipalities of the Lazio region. In particular, a pilot action for fast charging points using the Power Line Communication – PLC system was implemented in Italy (6 in along the ring road of Rome and 30 along the highway from Rome to Milan). It is a “PLC protocol” for fast charging, the so called “Combined Charging System – CCS which facilitates data communication between EVs and e-infrastructures.
Today it is possible to combine EV charging stations to the communication network of the public lampposts, integrating information services related to the info-mobility. This practice implies the reuse of the existing infrastructures without digging or additional wiring, quickly and at a sustainable cost. Some cities of Lazio Region are already adopting the PLC for automating street lighting networks (e.g. the Municipalities of Marino and Latina), to allow the implementation of diverse smart and sustainable services to the community such as video surveillances for citizens security, WI-FI access point to widespread the internet, beside recharging points for EVs. This practice is successful because it doesn’t require important financial resources, given that it reuses the existing public infrastructures.

Resources needed

An example of a municipal tender procedure shows the cost of 30.000€ (excluding VAT) for the construction of an interactive totem and PLC devices conveyed for remote control on 40 light points, wi-fi extension and 2 electric charging points (compatible with Smart-Grid-V2G requirements).

Evidence of success

The already established Power Line Communication (PLC) standard in the Smart Power Grid area offers a robust and long term available setup. Public lighting is the third/fourth cost item of a city. This PLC technology allows to increase efficiency and service’s quality transforming the public lighting network into a flexible and versatile incubator of technological services, including those aimed at promoting the electric mobility and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

Potential for learning or transfer

A compatible charging infrastructure and communication between the vehicle and the "charging spots" is required for ease of use on the end user side. Such power-line technology fully encounters the needs of the local authorities as it ensures high energy efficiency levels, with more than 30% energy saving, and turning the existing network of lampposts into a high speed communication network able to 1) bring EV charging stations; 2) lightning efficiency 2) avoid wastes, 3) monitor energy consumptions, 4) charge electrical platforms, 5) connect video cameras and displays, 6) monitor the territory improving its security level. Adopting a remote control and management system for public lighting means to transforms the public lighting network into a real incubator of technological services. These municipalities transformed its public lighting network into a real extended LAN network able to provide the community with a series of interminable value-added services available via the lampposts.