Smart Charging as Collaborative Energy Exchange Lowers Barriers, Gives Control to Consumers

Our Nissan Leaf is an exciting addition to the Knowledge Center. One can’t help but hop in and see what the future of transportation holds.

“Cool” was the most common utterance from passerbys.

Next to the Leaf is a Clipper Creek charging station with embedded Itron communications and metrology, part of the Itron Embedded Sensing platform. The revenue grade metrology enables utilities to work directly with businesses or consumers on dynamic pricing strategies like time-of-use rates or demand response programs. The communications technology—using RF, ZigBee or WiFi—gives consumers and utilities alike unprecedented visibility into when and how consumers are charging their vehicles.

Click here for a quick video detailing how the smart charging system works.



The collaborative model replaces more traditional models where third-party vendors stand between end consumers and utilities, essentially acting as energy brokers. With the Clipper Creek charging unit, utilities can offer advantageous rates to consumers who, for instance, charge during off-peak hours or elect to participate in demand response events. This direct interaction incents the kinds of consumption behaviors that balance grid loads while saving consumers money.

“We’re connecting buyers and sellers in what the industry is starting to call a ‘collaborative energy exchange’. We put the power and control into the hands of those who can do the most good with it—consumers,” said Itron’s Stephen Johnson, product line manager, energy management.

Fast. The 240v, 40 amp charger will top EVs off in under three hours. In addition, the charging station uses existing infrastructure such as AMI communications networks as well as home or business WiFi. Best of all, consumers can control the charger remotely with mobile devices.

Johnson continues, “Their asset. Their energy. Their data.”

The EV charger is part of the Itron Embedded Sensing platform, which combines metrology and sensing technologies with control software and flexible communications options to enable collaborative exchange networks.

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