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Render V2G Drosso (Photo: FCA)
The COVID-19 outbreak has not put a stop to the cooperation
between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and ENGIE Eps (Paris:EPS), nor to
their commitment to support the deployment of electric
mobility.
Since the announcement with Terna in September of the intention
to jointly experiment with interactions between electric cars and
the power grid, based on a “smart” charging infrastructure, FCA has
selected ENGIE Eps as the technology partner for the project, to
build that infrastructure.
In full compliance with the safety standards to contain the
epidemic, work has therefore begun at the FCA plant in Mirafiori,
Turin on the first phase of the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) pilot
project. Once fully completed, it will be the largest plant of its
kind in the world.
The initiative is aimed at two-way interaction between FCA full
electric vehicles and the power grid. In addition to recharging the
cars, the project will use their batteries to provide grid
stabilization services. The vehicle batteries are capable of
storing energy and, using the V2G infrastructure, can return it to
the grid when needs be. This represents an opportunity to optimize
the operating costs of the cars – for the benefit of motorists –
and a concrete possibility of contributing to a more sustainable
electricity system.
The need for “balancing resources” in the power grid is expected
to increase considerably in the future: on the one hand to support
the development of renewable sources, where energy production is by
default nonprogrammable; on the other hand, to manage the
deployment of electric vehicles, which – given that they require
power to be recharged – could further destabilize the system. In
the near future, the deployment of infrastructure for intelligent
battery management, for example the system under development at
Mirafiori, will therefore be a key element in balancing real-time
energy demand and production.
V2G technology therefore represents one of the strongest
incentives for the spread of truly sustainable electric mobility
and a pillar of a rapid energy transition in terms of accessibility
to all – resulting in lower CO2 emissions – and in terms of
sustainability from the point of view of the electricity
infrastructure, where safety and reliability would in turn be
increased. The crucial importance of the project thus served as
justification to start its implementation despite the current
outbreak.
The construction site for phase 1 of the project is now open at
the Drosso logistics center, within the Mirafiori complex. The
works cover an area of approximately 3,000 m2 with 450 m of
trenches already excavated, ready to host over 10 km of the cables
required to interconnect the electricity grid with 64 two-way fast
charging points, with an output of up to 50 kW. The centralized
infrastructure and advanced control system – providing
Vehicle-to-Grid network services in addition to fast charging of
electric vehicles – were designed, patented and constructed by
ENGIE Eps.
Phase 1 of the project will see the installation of 32 V2G
columns capable of connecting 64 electric vehicles and is scheduled
for completion in July. By the end of 2021, the infrastructure will
be extended to interconnect up to 700 electric vehicles, capable of
providing ultrafast grid services to the transmission network
operator, as well as recharging the vehicles themselves.
In its final configuration, the project will be capable of
supplying up to 25 MW of regulatory capacity, making it the largest
V2G facility ever built in the world. In addition, by aggregating
with other FCA “assets” at Mirafiori – including 5 MW of solar
panel capacity – this V2G infrastructure will become a true Virtual
Power Plant, indeed the most innovative one in Italy. It will have
the capability to provide a high level of resource optimization to
the equivalent of 8,500 homes and a wide range of services to the
network operator, including ultrafast frequency regulation.
"The project is acting as our laboratory to experiment on and
develop an offering to add value in the energy markets,” said
Roberto Di Stefano, Head of EMEA e-Mobility at FCA. “On
average, cars remain unused for 80-90 percent of the day. During
this long period, if connected to the grid by Vehicle-to-Grid
technology, customers can therefore receive money or free energy in
exchange for the balancing service offered, without compromising
their mobility needs in any way. In addition, this project forms
part of a broader context of the technology partnership that has
stood between ENGIE Eps and FCA since 2016. The main, tangible
objective of this partnership is to reduce the cost of FCA electric
vehicle lifecycles, via specific offers exclusive to our
customers.”
“During this period of forced immobility in Italy, we are
continuing to build the country's future in partnership with FCA,
by developing the technology required for the electricity grid to
support the deployment of electric cars. At the same time, the
project will also help to stabilize the network,” noted
Carlalberto Guglielminotti, CEO of ENGIE Eps. “Estimates
have it that by 2025, the total storage capacity of electric
vehicles in Europe will be over 300 GWh, representing the largest
distributed resource available to the European energy system. The
market for V2G infrastructure, to date consisting almost
exclusively of experimental projects, is now ready to get off the
ground. The Drosso project at Mirafiori is a world first. We are
confident that it will soon be joined by a solution for all company
fleets.”
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About ENGIE EPS
ENGIE EPS is an industrial player within the ENGIE group that
develops technologies to revolutionize the paradigm shift in the
global energy system towards renewable energy sources and electric
mobility. Listed on Euronext Paris (EPS:FP), ENGIE EPS is listed in
the CAC® Mid & Small and the CAC® All-Tradable financial
indices. Its registered office is in Paris and conducts its
research, development and manufacturing in Italy.
For more information: www.engie-eps.com
About ENGIE
Our Group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and
services. In response to the urgency of climate change, our
ambition is to become the world leader in the zero-carbon
transition "as a service" for our customers, in particular global
companies and local authorities. We rely on our key activities
(renewable energy, gas, services) to offer competitive turnkey
solutions. With our 170,000 employees, our customers, partners and
stakeholders, we are a community of Imaginative Builders, committed
every day to more harmonious progress. Turnover in 2019: EUR 60.1
billion. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock
exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices
(CAC 40, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI
Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe and
Euronext Vigeo Eiris - World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120, France
20, CAC 40 Governance).
***
About Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that
designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio
of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge,
Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also
sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the
components and production systems sectors under the Comau and
Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the
globe.
For more information on FCA, visit the website
www.fcagroup.com
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