Irish charging depots serving 211 electric vehicles to join grid flexibility markets

Irish fleet charging depots to join grid flexibility markets

Irish postal operator An Post and DHL Express are taking part in a pilot project that will connect electric-vehicle charging depots to grid flexibility markets, Electrive reports. The pilot covers three An Post sites in Cork and Galway and one DHL Express site in Dublin. Together, the sites serve 211 electric vehicles and have 181 charging points, with up to 500 kW of load that can be managed flexibly.

According to Electrive, citing the project partners, the system will adjust charging to fleet needs and grid signals, reducing charging power when demand is high and increasing it when renewable electricity is plentiful. The vehicles must remain ready for their next trips. The approach could cut operators’ electricity costs and generate additional revenue. Logistics operators continue to prioritize fleet decarbonization and day-to-day operational efficiency, Electrive says, citing Shane Mallarkey, who works in business development at Mitsui Ireland.