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May 18, 2022

U.I. partners with California tech firm for EV program

PHOTO | Pixabay.com
By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

A new partnership between an area utility and California tech company aims to boost consumer use of electric vehicles and save energy and money.

The United Illuminating Company announced it is partnering with Silicon Valley tech company Bidgely to help implement the first electric vehicle (EV) managed charging program in Connecticut.

The program, established by the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), aims to compile data and devise strategies designed to shift customers’ EV loads to off-peak periods.

The effort is part of a larger collaboration between UI, PURA and other stakeholders to develop statewide EV charging infrastructure, which will support the state’s goal of having upwards of 150,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025.

U.I. President and CEO Frank Reynolds lauded the partnership.

“I am excited that Bidgely is bringing their cutting-edge technology to the EV charging program in Connecticut,” said Reynolds. “Together, we can continue to put this state on the map as a leader in a clean energy future for the region.”

The program will apply Bidgely’s artificial intelligence program to U.I.’s existing metering infrastructure data, enabling U.I. to detect EV ownership throughout its service territory, and help drive participation in U.I.’s managed charging programs.

“This program incentivizes customers to charge during off-peak hours through behaviorally focused messages that encourage load shifting and direct managed charging via cutting-edge telematic technology,” said Rick Rosa, Avangrid’s EV manager.

Merging the technologies will help current EV owners manage their usage and minimize costs, officials said. Customers who opt-in will receive email notifications for on-peak charging, monthly summary reports and access to web-based activity. For customers who opt-in to managed charging, U.I. will remotely manage vehicle charging for optimal grid flexibility, which will help minimize customer costs and ensure energy supply is balanced during peak periods.

Gautam Aggarwal, Bidgely’s chief revenue officer, said the collaboration demonstrates how utilities, regulators and technology providers can work together to help support EV growth.

For more information, visit uinet.com.

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