IBM and ESB partner to deliver electric vehicle charging for Ireland

IBM and Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) are set to work together to deploy more integrated charging IT system for electric vehicles in Ireland. With 1,000 such public charging points now installed around the country, drivers will also be able to access all charging stations using an ID card. ESB Networks, which is currently rolling out the public charge points around Ireland, will be using IBM's Intelligent Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform to operate and manage these charge points. Apparently,
October 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
62 IBM and 6647 Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) are set to work together to deploy more integrated charging IT system for electric vehicles in Ireland.

With 1,000 such public charging points now installed around the country, drivers will also be able to access all charging stations using an ID card. ESB Networks, which is currently rolling out the public charge points around Ireland, will be using IBM's Intelligent Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform to operate and manage these charge points. Apparently, Ireland will be the first country globally to implement such an integrated platform.

IBM says that the cloud platform will connect ESB Networks with energy retailers and the charge points, allowing all three to communicate energy usage and financial data directly.   

One of the aims of the new system will be to provide analytics so that ESB Networks will be in a position to better forecast and balance the load on the power grid, helping to improve smart grid operations.  ESB Networks will also have the capability to maintain customer and charge point data, such as energy consumption, charging location and settlement data.

"This project has the potential to significantly improve efficiencies in electric vehicle charging, streamline management services and contribute to the overall reduction of CO2 emissions," said ESB chief executive Pat O'Doherty today.

For electric vehicle (EV) drivers, IBM said its platform will allow people to select payment options and access all charge points using one ID card. The idea is to help users to aggregate usage costs and simplify billing.  Drivers will also be able to use their mobile devices to locate their nearest charge point and check its availability.

IBM said the platform will also give ESB Networks the flexibility to add charge points, as well as integrate new functionality and support more electric vehicles as the market grows.

As part of its energy policy, Ireland has a goal to produce 40 per cent of the country's current electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020 and for every tenth car on Irish roads to be electric.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • European Commission takes action for clean, competitive and connected mobility
    June 1, 2017
    The European Commission is taking action to modernise European mobility and transport, with the aim of helping the sector to remain competitive in a socially fair transition towards clean energy and digitalisation.
    Read More
  • ABB launches EV chargers for US and Europe
    May 31, 2013
    ABB has launched its Terra SmartConnect (SC) fast chargers for electric vehicles (EV) in North America. Terra SC can fully charge an electric car in thirty to 120 minutes and will be available with support for the CHAdeMO fast-charging standard, with SAE/combined charging system and will be available in the Americas in the second quarter of 2013. The charger has a full-colour eight inch touchscreen user interface, smart connectivity features and wall-mount connections, as well as optional features of RFiD a
    Read More
  • Cycling in London grows by ten per cent
    February 2, 2015
    London’s cycling revolution accelerated last year, with 2014 seeing new records for usage of the capital’s cycle hire scheme and overall cycling on the Transport for London (TfL) road network. Across the TfL road network, London’s main roads, cycling levels in quarter 3 of 2014/15 (14 September to 6 December) were ten per cent higher than in the same quarter the previous year and the highest since records began in 2000. It was the fifth record quarter in a row. By the end of 2014/15, TfL forecasts a 12 p
    Read More
  • Gnewt to trial V2G tech to power EV fleet
    November 6, 2019
    A London-based parcel delivery service is to trial Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology to help power 70 electric vehicles (EVs). Gnewt by Menzies Distribution intends to use V2G to explore the ability of EVs releasing energy back to the grid when not in use. The trial is part of a Cisco-led project called E-Flex which aims to demonstrate how V2G can help reduce the demand EVs put on energy networks. Gnewt’s founder Sam Clarke says: “Through E-Flex, we’re able to sustainably carry on with our day-to-day op
    Read More

Highlighted Content