Tech revolutionizes EV charging, maintains grid stability

author: FutureCar Staff    

A revolutionary charging solution called PowerBank has been introduced by EV charging platform Monta. This innovative technology detects grid imbalances and temporarily pauses electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions to prevent power blackouts. By connecting multiple charge points to the grid system, Monta can manage charging activities by briefly pausing and then resuming EV charging in response to grid imbalances. This helps distribute power and alleviate strain caused by fluctuating electricity production and high consumption, ultimately preventing power outages and stabilizing the grid.

PowerBank has already undergone a successful Beta test program in Denmark and Sweden, where it aggregated an average of 3 megawatts (MW) of electricity demand at night, equivalent to 2,250 households. On some nights, this rose to 10 MW, enough to power approximately 6,000 households. This showcases PowerBank's potential to stabilize the grid during peak demand. Monta sees this technology as the first step towards a more sustainable and stable power grid.

Alok Dubey, the regional director for Western Europe, emphasized Monta's commitment to making home-based EV charging more sustainable and future-proofing the EV ecosystem. With PowerBank, charge point owners can actively protect their communities against blackouts and contribute to grid stability. By linking charge points to the electrical grid system, PowerBank intelligently pauses and restarts charging activities, adapting to grid imbalances.

PowerBank will initially launch for Monta's fleet and private customers in Ireland, followed by its arrival in the UK in December 2023. Users will earn Monta credits for each kilowatt-hour charged, which can be used for charging in Monta's Roaming network, paying subscriptions, or purchasing various items in the Monta Shop, such as SIM cards, QR stickers, and RFID cards.

Dubey emphasized the significance of PowerBank in supporting and strengthening the resilience of existing infrastructure, especially with predictions estimating that by 2030, there will be 10 million EVs on UK roads, accounting for approximately 30% of all cars. Therefore, it is crucial not to slow down the implementation of a robust UK charge point infrastructure.

In addition to PowerBank, Monta has recently introduced the intelligent Virtual SolarCharging feature, which allows EV homeowners to generate their own electricity, reducing their dependence on the National Grid and lowering costs.

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FutureCar Staff