E-Mobility and Grid Stability
From Basic Charging to Intelligent Energy Distribution
EV charging infrastructure is part of a larger energy ecosystem that includes a wide range of consumers.
Vector
E-mobility is key to a sustainable future, and as the number of electric vehicles continues to grow, so does the demand for reliable and efficient charging infrastructure. This article explores the challenges and solutions involved in optimizing charging networks—covering load and charge management, cost-saving potential, the integration of renewable energy, and forward-looking technologies such as vehicle-to-grid.
Electric vehicles (EVs) can be charged using
either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). AC charging stations
are a cost-effective solution for charging at home or at the workplace. In
contrast, DC chargers enable significantly faster charging, as the power is
converted to direct current outside the vehicle. This makes them ideal for
locations where quick turnaround is essential—such as highway rest stops or
public fast-charging hubs. As of March 2024, Germany had nearly 110,000 public
charging points, according to the National
Coordination Centre for Charging Infrastructure. Around 90,000 of these were AC, while 20,000 were DC. In addition,
almost one million private charging points—either planned or already installed
at homes and businesses—have been supported through funding from the
state-owned development bank KfW (Credit Institute for Reconstruction). To
ensure the efficient use of both existing and future charging infrastructure,
modern charge management is essential. Smart load management can further boost
efficiency when grid connection capacity is limited and help reduce the need
for costly grid expansion.
Optimized Energy Distribution through
Smart Charge and Load Management
EV charging infrastructure is part of a
larger energy ecosystem that includes a wide range of consumers. Since grid
capacity is limited, the growing number of electric vehicles is placing
increasing demand on the power supply—especially during peak hours. In Germany,
the current number of fully electric cars stands at around 1.5 million.
According to the federal government, this figure is expected to increase
tenfold by 2030, driving electricity demand to approximately 44 terawatt-hours
(TWh).
The challenge lies in managing multiple
charging points on a single grid connection, integrating infrastructure into
existing environments, and addressing the need for advanced electrical systems.
Charge management focuses on optimizing individual charging sessions—including
when and how EVs are charged—while minimizing costs by leveraging periods of
lower electricity prices.
Ensuring Grid Stability
Load management plays a critical role in
optimizing a site’s overall energy usage and maintaining grid stability. Static
load management distributes the available power evenly across all connected EVs
at a location, based on a predefined power limit, to avoid overloading the grid
connection. Dynamic load management, using local hardware such as vCharM.edge
from Vector Informatik, connects to the overarching charging and load
management software vCharM. It adjusts power distribution in real time based on
the building’s actual energy demand—particularly beneficial in scenarios with
fluctuating loads and limited grid capacity.
Modern software solutions go beyond just
controlling EV charging. They offer monitoring capabilities that provide
transparency into vehicle charging status and charging station utilization.
Real-time monitoring and reporting enable operators to quickly detect and
resolve issues. Access control technologies such as RFID cards and smartphone
apps ensure that only authorized users can access the charging stations. Thanks
to local hardware, authentication and load management continue to function
reliably—even during internet outages.
For widespread EV adoption, it’s essential
that public charging infrastructure is fair, easy to use, and widely
accessible. A truly democratized charging experience includes transparent
billing and location-independent roaming. To ensure accessibility for all
users, various pricing models are offered, detailed billing information is
provided, and multiple payment methods are supported. EV drivers can charge
their vehicles at different stations without needing multiple memberships or
contracts—made possible by backend systems that operate independently of
location. This is underpinned using the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) and
strong cybersecurity measures to protect user data. As an open and
vendor-independent communication standard, OCPP ensures interoperability
between charging stations and central management systems. It supports key
functions such as user authentication, starting and stopping charging sessions,
collecting charging data, and remote maintenance of charging points.
Reducing Charging Costs with Smart
Software
Beyond efficient energy distribution and
accessible DC charging, cost optimization plays a major role in the future of
e-mobility. High energy demand can cause load peaks, which in turn drive up
electricity costs. These can be mitigated through smart charging schedules that
adapt to grid conditions or through automated charging based on real-time
electricity prices.
Local hardware components help optimize
charging sessions by responding dynamically to fluctuations in building energy
demand. Time-of-use electricity rates or demand response programs, which
promote energy usage during periods of surplus—such as midday solar
peaks—encourage users to charge their EVs when it’s most cost-effective. Techniques
like peak shaving help reduce simultaneous charging spikes caused by low-tariff
periods. Night-time electricity rates also support load balancing by shifting
demand to off-peak hours.
Future bidirectional power transfer (BPT)
promises to further optimize the use of charging points by enabling energy to
flow both into and out of EVs. During low-demand periods, energy can be stored
in vehicle batteries and later fed back into the grid during peak times. This
vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology positions EVs as mobile, distributed energy
storage systems.
Integrating renewable energy sources into
the charging ecosystem contributes directly to the energy transition. Solar and
wind reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower CO₂ emissions, and are vital to a sustainable energy supply. According
to the German government, over 58% of the country’s electricity in Q1 2024 came
from renewables. By 2030, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate
Action aims to reach 80%.
Aligning Charging with
Energy Availability
Thanks to dynamic electricity tariffs,
charging sessions can be aligned with the availability and pricing of green
energy. Smart charge and load management systems allow users to control which
sources their vehicles draw power from. For example, weather conditions
influence pricing and offer incentives for users to charge when demand is low
or renewable production is high.
EVs can also be integrated into dynamic load
management as energy storage systems, storing surplus renewable energy during
low demand and releasing it during high demand. This is increasingly important
given the intermittent nature of renewable energy, which, according to the
German Environment Agency, accounted for roughly 40% of Germany’s total
electricity generation in 2023. Since wind and solar are not always available,
storing energy for later use is essential.
According to the Fraunhofer Institute for
Solar Energy Systems, Germany will require 22 GWh of energy storage capacity by
2025, 104 GWh by 2030, and around 180 GWh by 2050. V2G technology offers
significant potential to meet this growing demand—especially considering
Germany’s commitment to phasing out nuclear energy and expanding its share of
renewables.
Grid-Friendly Charging for a Stable
Energy Supply
Grid-friendly charging refers to the
intelligent control of EV charging processes to support the integration of
renewable energy and ensure grid stability. One key mechanism is the smart
disconnection of consumers during periods of grid overload—helping to stabilize
the electricity network. Modern charge and load management systems rely on
real-time data to predict energy consumption patterns, adjust charging sessions
proactively, and maintain grid balance. The long idle times of most
EVs—overnight or during working hours—offer significant potential for
supporting the grid.
Assuming an average battery capacity of 30
kWh per fully electric vehicle, Germany’s approximately 1.5 million EVs (as of
April 2024) represent a combined storage capacity of around 45 GWh. Even
without significantly impacting drivers’ range or battery lifespan, about 10
percent of this—roughly 4 GWh—could be made available to support the grid. By
2030, projections of 15 million EVs with increased average capacities of 50 kWh
per vehicle would yield up to 75 GWh of usable storage—meeting around 72 percent
of the anticipated grid storage demand.
Regulatory frameworks such as the
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and Germany’s Charging
Infrastructure Master Plan II are shaping the development of EV infrastructure
and guiding the implementation of grid-supportive charging strategies. The AFIR
regulation addresses the rollout of infrastructure for alternative fuels, while
the Master Plan defines targets for EV adoption and the expansion of
fast-charging networks. Compliance with these regulations—such as the goal of
achieving market readiness for bidirectional charging by 2025—is essential for
a resilient and future-proof energy system.
Outlook
The
future of e-mobility depends not only on expanding a reliable and efficient
charging infrastructure, but also on integrating smart charge and load
management systems—such as vCharM. Technologies like V2G and the use of
renewable energy sources will play a key role in enhancing grid stability and
accelerating the energy transition. The coming years will be critical:
innovative solutions and supportive regulatory frameworks will be essential to
overcoming challenges and unlocking the full potential of electric mobility.
