UK Power Networks, a distribution network operator (DNO) for electricity covering South East England, the East of England and London, has launched an online tool as part of one of the world’s largest electric fleet trials, designed to change the process of going electric for UK businesses.
Optimise Prime is a project that aims to help find practical solutions to overcome the challenges fleet operators face when going electric. Royal Mail, Centrica and Uber now have over 6,000 EVs taking part in the project, in partnership with UK Power Networks and Novuna Vehicle Solutions.
As part of the project, UK Power Networks has developed a ‘site planning tool’ designed to make it quicker and easier than before for fleet manager to assess how to go electric at the lowest cost.
By inputting information such as vehicle schedules, mileage and site energy profiles, the tool compares different scenarios to understand the impact of going electric and the benefits of using smart charging. It also checks if a site needs an electricity connection upgrade, or if a fleet can operate on the existing connection.
Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “Most fleet managers have a busy operation to run, so we want to make sure switching to EVs is just as easy and cost effective as buying any car or van.
“The site planning tool has transformed this process for businesses across the country. Helping fleet managers understand exactly what it will look like to run an electric fleet, what is involved and the cost saving benefits of smart charging is a vital step to helping businesses go electric.”
The tool includes two main features:
- Site Electrification Planner: designed to give a quick estimate of the cost to connect EV chargepoints at existing sites based on four inputs (number of chargepoints planned, power rating of the charge points, site connection limit and current peak demand).
- Site Planning Tool: which requires more granular inputs and calculates the connection capacity required under different optimisation scenarios including a base case, unmanaged charging and smart charging. The results from the tool are used as a basis for discussion with the DNO.
