Greenlots And Powertech Labs Usher in EV Smart-Charging for the Connected Home of the Future

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenlots, a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks, and Powertech Labs, a subsidiary of BC Hydro, today announced they are working together to develop a platform capable of layering multiple open standards and protocols to achieve rich smart grid features in the home. It's a collaboration that could reap big rewards for utilities that want to embed more renewables, but need to maintain grid loads and for consumers who are increasingly adopting smart home electricity products that take advantage of real-time electricity prices.

With the union of EV chargers, automated demand response, and a broadband connection, electric vehicles are now viewed as the next smart home appliance, taking the Internet of things to the next level. Greenlots, the first solutions provider to implement open standards protocols like SEP2.0 (with EPRI) and OpenADR across multiple EV hardware providers, is working closely with Powertech Labs on a platform that will forge new smart-charging pathways and bring interoperability into the home. Designed for Powertech Labs, Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging platform will network multiple energy management standards and protocols including SEP 2.0, OpenADR 2.0 b and OCPP with residential-based EV supply equipment. By performing smart charging from the cloud and on a home area network (HAN), The SKY Smart Charging platform can simultaneously speak to the utility back-end, while managing the EVSE.

"This partnership underscores the value utilities are assigning EVs as a new and long-term grid resource and their preference in utilizing open standards to future-proof their demand response assets," said Mark Dubois-Phillips, Director of Smart Utility Services at Powertech Labs. "This demand for an open standards approach made partnering with Greenlots an obvious choice."

EVs represent a new breed of smart devices, capable of using electricity from different points on the grid as well as a source of generation, storage and thus called upon to balance the grid. The value-add of EVs goes well beyond that of an emission-free vehicle, their nomadic abilities yield many communication pathways for interoperability.

To test the platform's interoperability, Powertech has incorporated it into their Smart Utility Lab environment, alongside other smart grid technologies such as smart meters, in-home-displays, and simulated utility communications infrastructure. Electric vehicles on average have over 60 microprocessors and this new access allows EVs to play a critical role in the internet of things, executing new demand response programs, comparing performance, de-risking technology pathways and incorporating residential EVSE seamlessly to the grid.

"As more EVs penetrate our transportation and energy ecosystems, demand response programs will be pivotal in smart charging and grid stabilization," said Brett Hauser, President of Greenlots. "Powertech Labs is paving the way for the future smart home and we're pleased to arm them with a platform that complements their smart appliance needs."

About Greenlots:

Greenlots is a global provider of open standards-based technology solutions for electric vehicle (EV) networks and grid management. Designed to answer the needs of site hosts offering workplace and public charging applications, Greenlots' SKY Smart Charging™ platform is a robust network management solution that utilizes Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), the largest open standard for charger-to-network communications. SKY is the only charging network to be OpenADR 2.0b certified and enables utilities and site hosts to work together on demand response programs, leveraging EVs as a grid resource and avoiding costly energy infrastructure upgrades. Greenlots is headquartered in San Francisco and has deployed solutions in 13 countries around the globe. Visit www.greenlots.com for more information or follow us on Twitter @greenlots.

About Powertech Labs:

Powertech is a multidisciplinary consulting, research and testing facility located in British Columbia, Canada. For over 30 years, Powertech has provided specialized engineering services in the areas of clean energy consulting, independent testing services, and power system solution to support the utilities environment. Powertech supports a growing number of utilities and vendors seeking to develop, test and deploy their smart grid products and environments. Electric vehicles play an important role in the emerging smart grid landscape, and are therefore a key area of focus for Powertech's Smart Utility Services. Visit www.powertechlabs.com for more information.

Greenlots Media contact:
[email protected]

Powertech Labs Contact:
[email protected]

SOURCE Greenlots

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