Itron and The Mobility House to Address Grid Constraints with First-of-its-Kind EV Fleet Electrification Program
Itron, Inc. and The Mobility House introduce the Fast & Flexible Interconnect (FIX) program to facilitate reliable charging of electric vehicle (EV) fleets in constrained distribution systems. The program aims to address interconnection delays and infrastructure challenges associated with EV fleet electrification, offering cost-effective and rapid solutions. With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, the FIX program combines Itron's Grid Edge Intelligence solutions and The Mobility House's ChargePilot system to optimize EV charging management. Three program strategies are offered to meet varying utility goals: Passive, Active, and Dynamic approaches. The FIX program enables utilities to manage EV fleets efficiently, exceed electric panel board capacity safely, and plan infrastructure upgrades effectively.
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The FIX program by Itron, Inc. and The Mobility House addresses interconnection delays and infrastructure challenges related to EV fleet electrification.
It provides cost-effective and rapid solutions for utilities and grid operators to manage the increasing strain on the electric grid due to the rising adoption of electric vehicles.
The program combines Itron's Grid Edge Intelligence solutions and The Mobility House's ChargePilot system to optimize EV charging management.
FIX offers three program strategies - Passive, Active, and Dynamic approaches to cater to different utility goals and challenges.
Utilities can effectively manage EV fleets, exceed electric panel board capacity safely, and plan infrastructure upgrades with the FIX program.
The FIX program aims to enable a quicker transition to zero emissions transportation by turning electric vehicles into grid assets.
The introduction of the Fast & Flexible Interconnect (FIX) program by Itron, Inc., in collaboration with The Mobility House, signifies an innovative approach to addressing the burgeoning demands of electric vehicle (EV) charging on the existing power distribution systems. This solution is particularly pertinent given the forecasted surge in light commercial EVs from 24,000 in 2021 to an anticipated 3.8 million by 2030. The program's potential to expedite transportation electrification goals while mitigating the need for extensive infrastructure upgrades could offer significant cost savings to utility companies.
From an energy sector perspective, the FIX program's strategies—passive, active and dynamic—provide a scalable solution to integrate EVs into the grid intelligently. The program leverages Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence and The Mobility House’s ChargePilot® to enhance grid resilience and adaptability. The ability to exceed the capacity of electric panel boards within defined parameters could lead to a paradigm shift in how utilities manage peak loads and plan for capacity expansions. This flexibility is key to maintaining grid stability amidst the EV transition.
The FIX program's role in facilitating a quicker transition to zero-emissions transportation is not only a technological advancement but also an environmental imperative. By enabling more efficient integration of EV fleets into the power grid, the program supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, which is a significant contributor to climate change. The economic implications of this are far-reaching, as the program could potentially reduce the societal costs associated with environmental degradation and health impacts of air pollution.
Moreover, the program's ability to turn electric vehicles into grid assets aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where resource efficiency is maximized. By optimizing the charging process and potentially utilizing EV batteries as energy storage solutions, the program can enhance the flexibility of the energy system, thereby supporting renewable energy integration and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation.
The strategic alliance between Itron and The Mobility House represents a significant advancement in the EV infrastructure market, with the FIX program poised to set a new industry standard for EV charging solutions. As utilities and grid operators in North America prepare for the program's availability in Q1 2024, the anticipation of its impact is likely to influence market dynamics. By offering a comprehensive package that combines site-level control with utility infrastructure, the FIX program addresses a critical bottleneck in EV adoption—charging infrastructure readiness.
The market demand for such integrated solutions is expected to grow in tandem with the EV market. Companies that can provide end-to-end solutions, like Itron and The Mobility House, are likely to capture a larger market share. This could potentially disrupt traditional infrastructure providers and create new opportunities for innovation in the sector. Stakeholders, including investors, may view this as a positive development, signaling a robust growth trajectory for companies at the forefront of EV charging and grid management technologies.
02/23/2024 - 08:45 AM
The Fast & Flexible Interconnect (FIX) Program Enables Reliable Charging of EV Fleets in Constrained Distribution Systems
LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, and The Mobility House , a leader in the battery charging and clean energy space, unveiled the Fast & Flexible Interconnect (FIX) program, which enables reliable charging of electric vehicle (EV) fleets in constrained distribution systems. The first-of-its-kind program is designed to help utilities and grid operators address interconnection delays and infrastructure challenges associated with EV fleet electrification.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223008778/en/
The adoption rate of electric vehicles continues to rise steadily, with light commercial vehicles projected to increase from 24,000 in 2021 to 3.8 million in 2030, and substantially increasing strain on the electric grid. The FIX program will revolutionize EV charging management, providing low cost, reliable, rapid-to-implement alternatives to traditional distribution load assessment and infrastructure upgrade methods which are currently not fast enough to meet customer needs or national transportation electrification goals. With FIX, transportation electrification goals are achieved more quickly and at lower costs than traditional methods of distribution load assessments and infrastructure upgrades.
The FIX programs suite of applications combines Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions, including its Optimizer portfolio and distributed intelligence capabilities, with The Mobility House’s industry-leading charging and energy management system, ChargePilot® , and simulation capabilities.
Utility goals and challenges vary widely, which is why FIX offers three varying program strategies:
Passive approach – Utility companies can provide pre-determined grid constraints and use load forecasting within the FIX program to meet the needs of fleet operators and distribution grid operators. Combined with ChargePilot, utilities avoid straining the grid by setting a fixed usage limit and adapting charging schedules to respect that limit.
Active approach – Using Itron's Grid Edge Intelligence solutions and The Mobility House’s load management capabilities, utilities can combine firm capacity, which refers to a reliable electrical supply, with flexibility capacity, which allows them to adapt and adjust the amount of additional electricity available for use, based on real-time data from the distribution grid. The goal is to provide the most effective and optimized charging capabilities for electric vehicle fleets while relieving strain on local utility-side infrastructure.
Dynamic approach – Offers an advanced and adaptive solution for charging electric vehicle fleets, with a focus on grid awareness, optimization and flexibility for both fleet operators and utilities. With Itron's EV Optimizer solution, constraints are discovered and load limits are measured while load capacity is forecasted in real-time
With the FIX program deployed, EV charging can safely exceed the capacity of an electric panel board and utility infrastructure limitations within specific parameters, allowing utilities to plan and install components while accommodating charging requests with more flexibility.
“As a result of widespread EV fleet adoption, utilities and grid operators are facing greater complexity related to grid preparedness,” said Don Reeves, senior vice president of Outcomes at Itron . “By integrating Itron’s Grid Edge Intelligence solutions with The Mobility House’s ChargePilot in a complete package, we enable site-level control with utility infrastructure.”
“Our combined solution gives utilities the power to turn electric vehicles into grid assets,” said Greg Hintler, CEO North America at The Mobility House . “With our programmatic approach to addressing distribution constraints, we can create EV infrastructure abundance and ensure a quicker transition to zero emissions transportation for all.”
The FIX program is available to utilities and grid operators in North America beginning Q1 2024. For more information, visit Itron’s booth #2200 at DISTRIBUTECH International from Feb. 27-29, 2024, in Orlando, Florida , or visit Itron’s EV Charging Management solution page .
About Itron
Itron is a proven global leader in energy, water, smart city, IIoT and intelligent infrastructure services. For utilities, cities and society, we build innovative systems, create new efficiencies, connect communities, encourage conservation and increase resourcefulness. By safeguarding our invaluable natural resources today and tomorrow, we improve the quality of life for people around the world. Join us: www.itron.com .
Itron® is a registered trademark of Itron, Inc. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.
About The Mobility House
The goal of The Mobility House is to shape an emission-free energy and mobility future. We integrate vehicle batteries into the power grid using intelligent charging and energy solutions. The technology company was founded in 2009 and operates globally from its sites in Munich , Zurich , Paris , Singapore and Belmont (CA). As a neutral supplier, we work together with many partners such as charging equipment manufacturers, installation companies, back-end system operators, energy suppliers and automobile manufacturers. Our proprietary EV Aggregation Platform forms the technological foundation for our intelligent charging and energy management system, ChargePilot, and the smart charging tariff, beyond, that makes charging affordable while also stabilizing the power grids and markets.
Itron, Inc.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240223008778/en/
Itron, Inc.
PR@Itron.com
Paul Vincent
Investors@itron.com
Source: Itron, Inc.
What is the purpose of the Fast & Flexible Interconnect (FIX) program introduced by Itron, Inc. and The Mobility House?
The FIX program aims to enable reliable charging of electric vehicle (EV) fleets in constrained distribution systems, addressing interconnection delays and infrastructure challenges associated with EV fleet electrification.
What are the projected numbers for the increase in light commercial vehicles by 2030 according to the press release?
Light commercial vehicles are projected to increase from 24,000 in 2021 to 3.8 million in 2030, significantly straining the electric grid.
How does the FIX program revolutionize EV charging management?
The FIX program provides low cost, reliable, rapid-to-implement alternatives to traditional distribution load assessment and infrastructure upgrade methods, enabling quicker achievement of transportation electrification goals.
What are the three program strategies offered by FIX to utilities?
The FIX program offers Passive, Active, and Dynamic approaches to help utilities manage EV fleets efficiently and optimize charging capabilities.
When will the FIX program be available to utilities and grid operators in North America?
The FIX program will be available starting Q1 2024 for utilities and grid operators in North America.
