EV Charging Grid balancing

What does EV-16 measure?

EV-16 is a smart-ready service within the domain of electric vehicle charging, part of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI). The SRI is a European measurement method that shows how well a building is prepared for smart technology. EV-16 looks specifically at grid balancing: the extent to which electric vehicle charging is coordinated with signals from the electricity grid.

A building that only uses uncontrolled charging offers no contribution to grid balancing. Once a charging system takes departure times or grid signals into account, this changes. The service belongs to method A, the simplified methodology of the SRI with 27 of the total 54 smart-ready services.

What do the levels mean?

EV-16 has three functionality levels, numbered from 0 to 2. Level 0 represents uncontrolled charging: an electric vehicle charges as soon as it is connected, without coordination with the grid.

Level 1 introduces one-directional controlled charging. The charging system then takes into account, for example, a desired departure time and grid signals to optimize the charging moment. Level 2 goes one step further with bidirectional controlled charging, also known as vehicle-to-grid. Here the vehicle can not only draw power but also return it to the grid or building.

Why does this count toward the score?

The SRI assesses each smart-ready service against seven impact criteria, including energy efficiency and grid flexibility. Grid balancing in charging directly affects these criteria because it can reduce peaks in electricity demand.

As more buildings facilitate electric vehicles, grid load becomes an increasingly important consideration. Services like EV-16 show whether a building is prepared for this, which factors into the final SRI score and class rating.