UK city adopts open-source IoT for EV fleet

Nottingham becomes the first city to implement an open-source Internet of Things (IoT) platform on a large scale with a combination of features. The city in England’s Midlands region is developing an intelligent energy management system (iEMS) for its Clean Mobil Energy project using OpenRemote’s open-source IoT platform. The city’s project is unique in that it combines scale using an open source solution, operational environment with V2G using flexible pricing, and includes fleet management features. The pilot site at the Eastcroft Depot will combine three main elements: Solar panels to generate electricity A large lithium-Ion battery for energy storage A fleet of 40 EVs An innovative vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology enables the EVs to be charged and discharged for operational purposes as well as providing additional short-term energy storage and grid balancing. The system will enable the city’s energy managers to maximize the use of locally produced renewable energy and cut carbon emissions and costs associated with charging EVs. An energy dashboard and a mobile app provides the city’s energy managers with continuous insight into the performance of each component and lets them evaluate the system performance on the go. They are notified by the system in the event of a malfunction or uncommon behaviour, enabling them to take immediate corrective action. The system allows fleet managers to define minimum mileage per fleet, while providing important insights in the day-to-day operations, performance and total energy use of each group of vehicles. Pierre Kil, CEO of OpenRemote, explained, “With an open source IoT platform you can connect all assets regardless of brand and protocol.” “Our aim is to maximise the use of locally generated renewable energy and cut carbon emissions,” Laura Chippendale, Energy Projects Manager for Nottingham City Council said. “Thanks to OpenRemote’s advanced IoT solution, the city’s fleet of electric vehicles can be charged with 100% renewable energy offered at an optimum price. The iEMS will increase the economic value of renewable energy and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.” The OpenRemote platform integrates all data, sensors, and controls to access them centrally; transforming data into information and supporting the design of customised mobile applications for client projects. Source: OpenRemote