New simulator technology that could help fleets installing electric vehicle charge points make significant cost savings is now available.

Digital twin tech has unlocked the potential for one local authority to save over £300k by reducing the need for grid upgrades

The CrowdCharge platform enables organisations such as charge point operators, fleets and local authorities to view a unique ‘digital twin’ of their low-carbon technologies, with the ability to add new elements and see the impact on installation costs.

The simulator can then be used to optimise existing and planned infrastructure development, before connecting new energy assets, potentially reducing project costs and timelines, as well as lowering emissions and achieving savings on energy bills.

The CrowdCharge platform can evaluate many different complex variables, including multiple sites, reducing the need for grid upgrades for locations, and simulating the impact of vehicle to grid (V2G) charging. By optimising energy use and maximising flexibility, CrowdCharge can also reveal the scale of new revenue opportunities from grid services.

The digital twin technology has already revealed the potential for one local authority to save more than £300,000 by reducing the need for grid upgrades. And the platform also provides real-time insights from an organisation’s electric vehicles via a user-friendly dashboard, allowing EVs to be charged with the lowest cost and lowest carbon electricity, potentially resulting in emission savings of up to 63%.

CrowdCharge, a specialist in fleet charging and sister business to EV leasing broker DriveElectric, said the platform could provide companies and other organisations with fleets with game-changing improvements for carbon reporting as part of their progress to net zero.

Americo Lenza, COO of CrowdCharge, went on: “Our simulator tool creates a digital twin that can model a complex range of variables including electric vehicle charge points, solar panels, heat pumps and energy storage systems. Advanced real-time optimisation can help organisations reduce emissions, save money and reveal new revenue sources from grid services in a rapidly evolving energy market.”

CrowdCharge, an AI-powered technology with patented optimisation tools, helps to unlock maximum value from V2X (vehicle to everything) services across individual vehicles to fleets and workplace ecosystems, enabling organisations to better predict and manage usage, saving money and carbon.

CrowdCharge is a partner in the Innovate UK V2VNY vehicle to grid (V2G) project, which is trialling V2G using AC (alternating current), a more affordable solution than vehicle to grid charging using DC (direct current). CrowdCharge technology was previously trialled and validated in the Electric Nation smart charging and V2G projects.