AmpUp's Adapt Program Delivers Grid Relief 3X More Efficiently Than Peaker Plants

HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AmpUp, a leader in intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced that its Adapt program in Connecticut was able to lower grid demand three times more efficiently than a standard peaker plant during recent heat waves. Concluding its initial pilot phase on June 30, 2025, this managed EV charging program has demonstrated a powerful new model for integrating shared and public Level 2 EV chargers into grid services, effectively balancing energy demand while enhancing the charging experience for EV drivers.

The Adapt program was developed through the Connecticut Innovative Energy Solutions (IES) Program, a statewide initiative that identifies, pilots, and scales innovative ideas for a decarbonized, affordable, and equitable electric grid. AmpUp's platform was recognized for its potential to help EV charging station owners optimize their loads through revenue- and data-driven use cases and to advance load management EV charging strategies.

Operating across diverse commercial locations—including multifamily housing, workplaces, hospitality, and public parking—the program directly addresses a significant and growing challenge for utilities: providing grid flexibility where the property owner and the vehicle owner are different. This approach incentivized EV drivers with flexible charging plans. By allowing AmpUp to strategically pause charging sessions during peak grid hours (primarily 4 PM - 8 PM), in collaboration with one of Connecticut's largest electric and gas utility providers, drivers received wallet credits in their AmpUp mobile app, contributing to a measurable reduction in peak demand.

Program Performance & Results

In just three months, the Adapt pilot achieved strong results, demonstrating incredible cost efficiency and a scalable solution for EV load management and grid optimization:

• Grid and Cost-Effectiveness: The program successfully shifted 5,450 kWh from peak demand to off-peak hours across more than 650 charging sessions. This strategic load shift eased grid strain and reduced reliance on high-emission peaker plants, all at a cost of less than $0.50 per kWh, which is more than three times cheaper than the average peaker plant costs during a heat wave.
• High Participant Satisfaction: Over 85% of participating drivers rated the program positively, validating the driver-centric incentive model as a key to engagement.
• Real-time Performance Visibility: AmpUp provided the utility with a real-time dashboard, offering unparalleled day-to-day and hour-to-hour visibility into location-level performance—a critical advantage over traditional managed charging programs.

"The Adapt program's success in Connecticut proves that we can effectively manage EV charging loads to support grid stability without compromising the driver experience," said David Jackson, COO of AmpUp. "We've demonstrated a robust, scalable solution that offers real-time grid benefits and happy EV drivers. This is a game-changer, offering utilities across the country a proven model to integrate public and shared EV charging into their demand-side management strategies, enabling a more resilient and sustainable energy future."

"I like that the program didn't interrupt my routine since I usually charge overnight," added Laura Schwartz, a participating Adapt driver. "Starting the charge just a little bit later didn't impact me, and I still earned credits for charging as usual."

This model successfully addressed a key challenge for grid services participation of public chargers: enabling driver incentives without requiring prior enrollment or complex telematics integration from the utility, thus lowering program costs and accelerating speed to market.

Enabling Utility-Grade Grid Services through a Dual Incentive Model

The AmpUp Adapt program directly solves the incentive misalignment in commercial locations with shared EV charging stations and provides a unique path to grid flexibility that benefits both drivers and site hosts.

• Driver Participation: EV drivers can opt in to have AmpUp shift their charging sessions away from peak periods and are instantly rewarded with digital wallet credits. No third-party app integration needed, and credits can be used for future charging sessions.
• Site Host Monetization: Commercial property owners are compensated for making their charging infrastructure available for grid services, unlocking new revenue streams with zero administrative effort. Hosts don't need to enroll or submit data to earn their incentive.

Key Technical Advantages of AmpUp Adapt for Utilities

AmpUp Adapt provides utilities with robust capabilities for intelligent EV load management:

• Intelligent Load Management: Leverages real-time data and predictive analytics to optimize charging schedules and mitigate peak demand.
• Open Network: Ensures seamless integration, compatibility, and control of a wide range of EV charging hardware across 183 locations and nearly 1,000 compliant ports.
• Granular Control & Automation: Allows utilities to define targeted demand response events with automated incentive management.
• Robust Integration & Monitoring: Facilitates seamless data exchange with existing utility systems and provides comprehensive real-time visibility into program performance.

By demonstrating Adapt and Earn's effectiveness, AmpUp and Connecticut utilities are pioneering a data-driven approach to EV load management, paving the way for a more resilient and efficient energy grid supporting growing EV adoption.

About AmpUp

AmpUp is breaking down barriers to widespread EV adoption with a reliable, flexible, and user-friendly EV charging platform. With offices in Santa Clara, Calif., and Hartford, Conn. (housing its state-of-the-art testing laboratory), AmpUp has powered over 2,000 charging networks across 75 North American markets since 2018. Trusted by industry leaders such as JLL, CBRE, Domino's Pizza, Goodyear, Under Armour, and Hilton, AmpUp is at the forefront of advancing sustainable transportation. For more information, visit www.ampup.io. 

SOURCE AmpUp