Enel through its US subsidiary EnerNOC, is to acquire California-based eMotorWerks, a North American supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
The stations, known as JuiceBox own and operate JuiceNet, an Internet of Things (IoT) platform for the smart management of EV charging and other distributed energy storage facilities.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Through the JuiceNet platform, these facilities can be remotely controlled and aggregated for grid balancing purposes relying on unidirectional and bidirectional (vehicle-to-grid, V2G) electricity flows. The acquisition of eMotorWerks marks Enel’s entrance into the US electric mobility market.
“Electric vehicles have the potential to be one of the most disruptive technologies the modern electricity grid has faced in the last one hundred years,” said Enel’s Global e-Solutions division head, Francesco Venturini.
“The electric mobility revolution is leading utilities, grid operators, and consumers to rethink traditional business models, invest in new infrastructure, and roll out new solutions to provide flexibility and resiliency to the grid. Our mission is to be on the cutting edge of this paradigm shift, where consumers can play a more active role in energy generation and use.
“This acquisition enriches our e-mobility offering and integrates a highly sophisticated smart EV charging solution within our portfolio of grid flexibility services, which includes the world’s largest demand response network, distributed energy management systems and battery storage solutions.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataFor his part, eMotorWerks Founder and CEO, Val Miftakhov added: “Electrification of transportation is one of the largest greenhouse gas reduction opportunities facing the planet and electric vehicles are quickly becoming the largest flexible resource on the grid. With smart energy management by JuiceNet, EVs can provide the bulk of the grid balancing capacity to enable the 100% renewable grid around the world.
“Additionally, as EV adoption grows, utilities must either add more infrastructure to meet energy demands or adopt smart-charging solutions. eMotorWerk’s solution minimises EV emissions and remotely optimises charging load, which can reduce peak demands and increase the likelihood that EVs charge on cheaper and cleaner renewable energy.”
JuiceNet allows users to schedule EV charging when electricity from domestic solar rooftop systems is most abundant. Furthermore, through JuiceNet, EVs, V2G charging stations and other storage facilities can be used to respond to network signals, aggregating charging and discharging activities in order to balance electricity flows in the grid when needed.
