The Development of an integrated market-based smart charging framework and prototype is a rather complex task. Efficient implementation of the proposed framework requires its separation into discrete and complementary tasks that will take place in 6 Work Packages (WPs).
The overview and relation between ELVIS WPs are presented in the picture and analyzed below:
- WP1 ‘Project management’: is dedicated to the Project management.
- WP2 ‘Requirements Analysis and Project Definition’: analyzes the technical requirements and specifications of the project, the literature review and the overall design of the ELVIS platform architecture.
- WP3 ‘Data Analysis, Optimization and Forecasting’: focuses on the integration of real market and CS data and the development of tools for CS load profiling, CS load forecasting and market data forecasting, based on machine learning algorithms. WP3 also includes the development of several mathematical models to address the challenge of the optimal bidding strategy of the EVA in EU-based markets and the real-time charging set-point allocation to the CSs.
- WP4 ‘Platform Development and Implementation’: is dedicated to the ELVIS Platform development and implementation, including the development of the OCPP-compliant CS management system and testbed emulating the charging behavior and interactions of real CSs. Activities also include the connection of physical CSs and meters to the platform and finally the development of the end-user smartphone application and CS administrator dashboard providing monitoring of managed CSs. In addition, the tools developed in WP3 will be integrated into the platform to provide the full set of operational services for the EVA.
- WP5 ‘Pilot’: relies on the successful delivery of the platform tools developed in WP3 and WP4 and focuses on the implementation of the projects’ pilot. Initial tasks include the installation of two real CSs at Thermi Municipality (Cooperating Organization) and verification of the overall platform operation resulting in two milestones, the first private EV charging and the first smart charging service provided by the ELVIS platform. Considering real-time market and power system conditions, ELVIS will modulate the charging of connected EVs, while the end-user app and the CS administrator dashboard effectiveness will be tested in practice. The prolonged pilot duration and the large number of anticipated EV users will provide rich input for detailed progress assessment, KPIs calculation, fine-tuning of the delivered services and the user applications and ultimately the real-world demonstration of ELVIS outcomes and advantages.
- WP6 ‘Project Dissemination and Evaluation’: includes the dissemination actions that comprise of publication of project results in top-tier international journals and conferences, actions for citizens’ engagement and e-mobility awareness and the organization of a dedicated workshop and the development of the project’s website. Moreover, in WP6 the project evaluation will be conducted, by assessing the viability of the market-based smart-charging business models along with the project’s business potential. Finally, future exploitation strategies will also be defined.
The overall development process will be conducted through iterative rounds of implementation, testing, and evaluation to ultimately move from prototype to real-life operational versions. The project’s evolutionary research methodology will follow an Agile iterative approach.