Smart energy hubs can help organisations accelerate fleet electrification while reducing energy costs and overcoming grid constraints, according to research by Cenex.

A new study published by the sustainable transport organisation found that integrating solar generation, battery energy storage and bidirectional vehicle-to-everything (V2X) charging into ‘smart energy hubs’ effectively solves the grid bottleneck holding back fleet electrification.

Funded by the Government’s Innovate UK V2X Phase 2 Programme, the research modelled the real-world performance of the 3ti Papilio3 V2X DC FastHub across depots, factories and offices.

Data generated through Cenex’s EIGER modelling tool shows how DC-coupled energy systems can optimise energy use behind the meter, enabling organisations to install and operate EV charging infrastructure more effectively, even where grid capacity is limited.

The findings reveal a strong economic case for smart energy hubs as organisations face increasing electricity costs, constrained grid connections and growing pressure to transition vehicle fleets to zero-emission alternatives.

Among the key findings, the report shows that annual energy cost savings of around £2,600-£3,700 can be achieved across office, leisure and depot sites operating on two-rate tariffs.

High-demand factory sites could realise annual savings exceeding £18,000. And significantly greater savings may be possible under dynamic electricity tariffs.

Peak site demand can be reduced by between 5kW and 150kW, depending on the site and operational profile.

Battery energy storage plays a critical role in enabling load shifting, tariff optimisation and high-power EV charging.

DC-coupled architecture reduces energy conversion losses, improving overall system efficiency and renewable energy utilisation.

The research also highlights that no single solution fits every site. System performance depends on factors including vehicle charging behaviour, battery sizing, solar generation capacity, site electrical demand and tariff structure, reinforcing the importance of tailored system design.

“Cenex modelling demonstrated how smart DC microgrids integrating solar, storage and bidirectional EV charging can significantly reduce energy costs, lower peak demand and support fleet electrification,” said Steve Carroll, head of research and technical services at Cenex. “Solutions such as the Fasthub will be essential if we are to electrify transport

operations and optimise energy use in today’s grid-constrained environments.”

The project provides practical evidence to support the deployment of scalable DC microgrids and smart energy management systems across a wide range of sectors, helping businesses, local authorities and fleet operators make informed investment decisions.

Mark Potter, CTO at 3ti, said this research makes a compelling value case for bidirectional charging hubs in fleet depots, factories and sites with limited grid capacity.

“For fleet operators facing the pressures of rising energy costs and decarbonisation deadlines, it’s a strong evidence base for investment. The priority now is getting the vehicle makers following the open interoperability standards which will allow this to deliver real-world results.”

To access the full report, click here.