Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AHEAD (AI-informed Holistic EVs integration Approaches for Distribution grids)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-06-01 al 2025-09-30
AHEAD addresses the challenges arising from the rapid electrification of transport and the resulting impact on distribution grids. Existing planning tools do not simultaneously account for mobility patterns, charging behaviours, hosting capacity, flexibility potential, and regulatory conditions. AHEAD develops AI-based methodologies to identify optimal locations for charging infrastructure, assess flexibility from charging pools, support smart and bidirectional charging, and analyse ICT and cybersecurity aspects related to interconnected EV infrastructures.
The project’s overall objective is to enable grid operators, charging-infrastructure providers, fleet operators and public authorities to plan and operate charging systems more efficiently and securely. Seven demonstration environments covering diverse mobility and grid contexts will validate the solutions. The project integrates user-behaviour, regulatory and operational considerations to ensure that the proposed tools reflect real-world conditions and support wider decarbonisation goals.
The project’s overall objective is to enable grid operators, charging-infrastructure providers, fleet operators and public authorities to plan and operate charging systems more efficiently and securely. Seven demonstration environments covering diverse mobility and grid contexts will validate the solutions. The project integrates user-behaviour, regulatory and operational considerations to ensure that the proposed tools reflect real-world conditions and support wider decarbonisation goals.
During the first reporting period (M1–M16), AHEAD carried out the analytical, methodological and preparatory technical work required to enable the development of AI-based grid-planning tools, flexibility-assessment methodologies, charging-technology innovations, and cybersecurity analysis. The work completed in RP1 establishes the technical foundations for the implementation and demonstration activities scheduled for the following periods.
AHEAD consolidated a wide set of mobility, charging and behavioural datasets covering electric vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, public-transport fleets and vessels. This effort supported D1.1 “Usage and Charging Patterns Analysis” (M8), which provides a structured overview of how and where different vehicle categories charge, and how these behaviours evolve under various technological and regulatory scenarios. The project also examined technological, regulatory, communication-related and user-centric barriers that hinder flexibility provision, resulting in D1.2 “End-User Flexibility Solutions” (M12), which identifies requirements and potential enablers for end-user flexibility.
Grid-related analytical work progressed in parallel. The consortium reviewed national planning practices and methodologies for distribution and transmission grids, contributing to the submission of D4.1 “Grid Planning Strategies” (M15). This work introduced initial structures for modelling flexibility, assessing hosting capacity, and integrating behavioural and spatial information in future planning tools.
Activities on charging-technology assessment and prototype preparation advanced according to plan. A comprehensive review of AC/DC charging technologies for electric vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles and vessels was completed and documented in D2.1 “Charging Technology Assessment” (M16). Initial preparatory steps for the development of an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment prototype were initiated, focusing on component-level and subsystem-level assessments.
Work on ICT infrastructures and cybersecurity progressed substantially. The project mapped the ICT architecture and cybersecurity requirements across the EV value chain, resulting in D5.1 “ICT Requirements in the EV Value Chain” (M15), which outlines current infrastructures, security considerations and areas requiring further attention.
Preparatory activities for the project’s seven demonstration environments advanced steadily. These include the definition of use cases, identification of installation requirements, specification of KPIs, refinement of simulation environments and early integration work across the demonstration sites in Denmark, Milan, Kranj, Lisbon and Funchal. These steps ensure technical readiness for the execution of the demonstrations in the next reporting period.
Communication and stakeholder-engagement structures were established with the delivery of D10.1 “Project Website” (M2) and D10.3 “Stakeholder’s List” (M6), supporting visibility and outreach across the consortium and the wider e-mobility community.
AHEAD consolidated a wide set of mobility, charging and behavioural datasets covering electric vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, public-transport fleets and vessels. This effort supported D1.1 “Usage and Charging Patterns Analysis” (M8), which provides a structured overview of how and where different vehicle categories charge, and how these behaviours evolve under various technological and regulatory scenarios. The project also examined technological, regulatory, communication-related and user-centric barriers that hinder flexibility provision, resulting in D1.2 “End-User Flexibility Solutions” (M12), which identifies requirements and potential enablers for end-user flexibility.
Grid-related analytical work progressed in parallel. The consortium reviewed national planning practices and methodologies for distribution and transmission grids, contributing to the submission of D4.1 “Grid Planning Strategies” (M15). This work introduced initial structures for modelling flexibility, assessing hosting capacity, and integrating behavioural and spatial information in future planning tools.
Activities on charging-technology assessment and prototype preparation advanced according to plan. A comprehensive review of AC/DC charging technologies for electric vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles and vessels was completed and documented in D2.1 “Charging Technology Assessment” (M16). Initial preparatory steps for the development of an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment prototype were initiated, focusing on component-level and subsystem-level assessments.
Work on ICT infrastructures and cybersecurity progressed substantially. The project mapped the ICT architecture and cybersecurity requirements across the EV value chain, resulting in D5.1 “ICT Requirements in the EV Value Chain” (M15), which outlines current infrastructures, security considerations and areas requiring further attention.
Preparatory activities for the project’s seven demonstration environments advanced steadily. These include the definition of use cases, identification of installation requirements, specification of KPIs, refinement of simulation environments and early integration work across the demonstration sites in Denmark, Milan, Kranj, Lisbon and Funchal. These steps ensure technical readiness for the execution of the demonstrations in the next reporting period.
Communication and stakeholder-engagement structures were established with the delivery of D10.1 “Project Website” (M2) and D10.3 “Stakeholder’s List” (M6), supporting visibility and outreach across the consortium and the wider e-mobility community.
At this stage of the project, no results beyond the state of the art can yet be reported. RP1 focused on analytical and preparatory work, and the relevant outcomes will emerge in the next reporting periods once tool development, prototype testing and demonstration activities progress.