ENERGY SYSTEM FOR TOMORROW`S TRAFFIC
For electric mobility to become reality, the energy infrastructure must be adapted to the new requirements. For several years now, the Mannheim-based utility company MVV Energie has worked on projects designing intelligent future-proof energy systems, always keeping the integration of electric vehicles in mind. Vehicles of tomorrow will not only consume energy but will also be used as storage units in the long run. Thus, they potentially offer a more efficient use of energy from renewable energy sources like wind or solar energy. These energy sources are subject to strong fluctuations. Hence, grid-controlled power consumption is essential. This is the goal of the Smart Grid Integration research project headed by MVV Energie and embedded into the "Leading-edge cluster Electric Mobility South-West". It aims at devel-oping concepts for an effective and efficient energy management system for e-vehicle charging stations, using the perspective of a grid service operator. In the "Future Fleet" project, MVV Energie and its partners explored the role of e-vehicles in future companies` car fl eets. For this, the company designed, built and operated intelligent infrastructures at five different locations. A fleet of approximately 30 electric vehicles was reliably supplied with power solely from renewable en-ergy sources.