ELBE joint project: Solutions for grid-supportive charging in Hamburg Hamburg charges in line with the grid

Distribution system operators, charging station operators, and research institutions collaborated on the project to intelligently integrate private charging infrastructure into the power grid. In a distribution grid as densely populated as that of the Hamburg metropolitan area, this can only succeed if the available power capacity at charging points is centrally controlled based on the specific situation in the distribution grid. An IT interface developed as part of the project ensures that peak loads in the power grid caused by charging electric vehicles are reduced or avoided entirely. Integrating the IT interface into the backend systems of charging station operators ensures that power draw can be regulated during short-term grid-side demand. Thanks to this proactive grid control, the city’s overall supply security can be guaranteed even as electricity demand grows.

The project involved installing thousands of charging points on private properties. The new infrastructure was primarily established in residential buildings, commercial properties, or on commercially used sites, such as factory grounds or company premises. Innovative business models were developed to promote the needs-based expansion of charging infrastructure and ensure its cost-effective operation. A key component of the project was research into innovative technologies for secure and data-protection-compliant charging and billing.  

hysolutions was responsible for project management on behalf of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation. It led the consortium, monitored the progress of the research topics of the participating partner institutions, and managed several work packages for the design and analysis of individual research aspects.