Regulation Requirements

Smart Functionality

When: Phase 1 – June 2022

The Smart Functionality requirement is at the forefront of the incoming regulation. It means that EV charge points must be able to send and receive information via a communications network.

In addition, EV charge points must also be able to respond to a grid signal by starting or stopping a charge, or increasing and decreasing the rate of electricity flow. This is referred to as Demand Side Response (DSR).

Finally, charge points must also have at least one user interface that allows users to operate the device in accordance with the regulations.

Diving deeper into the technical details, charge points must comply with PAS1878, which is a set of standards that ensure Energy Smart Appliances, including charge points, have DSR functionality included.

Open Charge Point Protocol (OCCP), is also listed as a preferred standard of communication.

The good news is that in most cases existing devices can have smart functionality installed via a software update.

Electricity Supplier Interoperability

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

Electricity Supplier Interoperability ensures that users will be able to purchase a device and use it with any energy supplier without losing smart functionality.

This requirement has been put in place in order to protect consumers and businesses, which is critical to building a sustainable, high-quality and seamless EV ecosystem.

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Loss of Communications: Network Access

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

In order to meet regulatory requirements, charge points must be able to charge an electric vehicle even if they go offline.

This will prevent issues where users’ vehicles aren’t charged, particularly when the charge point is located in an area far from a WiFi router or in remote areas with poor mobile coverage. It will also prevent issues if a mobile or broadband network goes down.

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Safety

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

There are a number of safety-related requirements, which mostly focus on preventing users from carrying out certain functions which could put them or others at risk.

This includes overriding the default mode of charging during particular hours, overriding the provision of DSR services or overriding the randomised delay.

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Measuring System

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

As part of the regulations, there are a number of events that need to be measured, stored and made accessible.

The measuring system requirement includes:

- Recording electricity imported or exported in kWh

- Recording charging event times (start, stop, increase, decrease)

- The ability for the user to view all charging data for the past 12 months

- Configuring the Charge Point so that it is able to measure/calculate every one second the electrical power it has imported or exported and provide this information via a communications network.

To be eligible for most DSR services, 2% accuracy or MID equivalent metering is required as well as compliance with the metering Code of Practice (CoP11). The minimum accuracy requirement for the Phase 1 regulations is 10%, however, this is not sufficient to qualify for most demand response services.

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Off-Peak Charging

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

The off-peak charging requirement aims to reduce the demand on the energy grid at any given time, particularly in the evening peaks when there is already an increased demand as people generally return home and use appliances for cooking, cleaning and entertainment. This protects the grid and also reduces reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources, such as coal and gas.

The requirement states that charge points must be pre-configured with default charging hours outside of peak hours. This should be presented to the user when they first use the device, and they should have the option to accept, remove or customise the charge settings.

Users should also be able to change or remove the default settings at any point. However, a default off-peak charging schedule is not required if the charger is sold with a Demand Side Response agreement, including the functionality to respond to signals from electricity networks and dynamically support the grid.

ev.energy provides this advanced DSR functionality as standard with all our OCPP integrated chargers and works with the Distribution System Operators across the UK to offer this. Get in touch to learn more about offering DSR functionality in your EV Charge Points.

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Randomised Delay

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

To protect the stability of the national electricity system from high volumes of devices switching on or off at the exact same time, a Randomised Delay of up to 1800 seconds (30 minutes) is required when charging starts or stops – except for where the user has overridden this or when the charger is responding to a DSR signal.

It must also be possible to increase or decrease the maximum random delay remotely. ‍

ev.energy is able to simplify this requirement for charger manufacturers by implementing all the necessary randomised delays at the platform level, through the use of OCPP charge schedules. We are also working with the industry on an advanced controlled ramp rate solution as part of the future Phase 2 regulations.

Assurance

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

All home and workplace chargers will need to include the following documentation at the point of sale to provide assurance that the device complies with the regulations.

- Technical File – This document provides proof of compliance for each make, model and software version of EV charge point or smart cable sold. Evidence of compliance for all requirements in the regulations can be attached and reviewed by OPSS.

- Statement of Compliance – This document provides assurance that each charge point or smart cable meets the regulations, but less technical detail is required. A signature is required.

ev.energy can help with drafting, reviewing and providing evidence for Technical Files. With an OCPP integration to ev.energy, the only requirements on charger manufacturers to achieve compliance are to implement charge schedules and enable second-by-second metering. ev.energy can also provide information about our DSR agreement that can be added to each Statement of Compliance.

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Register of Sales

When: Phase 1A – June 2022

Anyone selling EV charge points from 30th June 2022 will need to keep a record of all the devices sold. This information will need to be maintained for ten years.

This is being made a requirement to protect consumers and enable a product recall in the case that a charging device is faulty or non-compliant.

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Security

When: Phase 1B – December 2022

From December 2022, additional requirements around security will come into force. In general, these requirements state that charge points and devices must protect against the risk of harm or disruption to the electricity system, the device itself and the personal data of end-users.

- This includes requirements on:

- Passwords

- Software and updates

- Sensitive security parameters

- Secure communication

- Data inputs

- Ease of use

- Protection against attacks (both cyber and physical)

- Security logs

- Provision of information

This requirement affects hardware, firmware and software and will need to be considered before production.

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