EDF, the UK’s biggest generator of low carbon electricity, will automatically adjust the energy usage of Hypervolt EV chargers to help balance the grid during periods of peak demand or excess renewable energy supply.

EDF has announced a partnership with Hypervolt, a London-based EV charge-point manufacturer and software provider.

With EDF Wholesale Market Services’ PowerShift technology, the collaboration will explore leveraging the capability of Hypervolt’s UltraGrid software to enable a frequency response service from EVs, which will be a first for the industry.

Working with the National Electricity System Operator (NESO), this initiative will use Hypervolt EV chargers to support the grid at times where it is facing difficulties maintaining the required frequency.

The offer aligns with proposals in NESO’s Clean Power 2030 Report that highlight the need for quicker responses to maintain a system frequency close to 50Hz and increasing the volume of these services through frequency markets.

Using the PowerShift capability, EDF will automatically adjust the energy usage of Hypervolt EV chargers to help balance the grid during periods of peak demand or excess renewable energy supply. By leveraging real-time grid conditions, EDF will help its customers save on electricity costs, reduce their carbon footprint and increase the use of renewable energy sources. 

Existing and future Hypervolt EV charger owners will also benefit from access to an EDF tariff that automates smart charging for EVs and is said to deliver the best value charging in the market.

Those who sign up to the tariff always remain in control of their charging preferences, including the level of charge in the car and what time of day they need their EV to be charged. Charging will be managed automatically requiring no manual intervention and savings will be shown on the EDF app.

Hypervolt charger owners who are not on EDF supply can also opt in to benefit from flexibility savings through PowerShift, EDF’s virtual power plant. PowerShift unlocks the optimal flexibility value from both grid-scale and behind-the-meter assets, with the use of artificial intelligence, real-time data analytics and algorithms. EDF offers its multi-market flexibility trading capability to EV charge point manufacturers to capture value and reduce costs for all EV drivers.

“Our partnership with Hypervolt highlights EDF Wholesale Market Services’ commitment to integrating EVs into our award-winning PowerShift, leveraging our unique capability to create value in all available markets,” said Stuart Fenner, wholesale market services commercial director at EDF (www.edfenergy.com). “We look forward to helping more customers optimise their energy usage and actively engaging in the transition towards a low carbon future.” 

Flavian Alexandru, CEO of Hypervolt (www.hypervolt.co.uk), added: “We are thrilled to partner with EDF to expand our innovative smart tariff offerings. Together, we aim to deliver unmatched affordability, quality and user experience, driving forward the energy transition.”