The Nikola project intelligent electric vehicle integration

The electric vehicle (EV) has certain properties that elevate its relevance to the smart grid. If EV integration is to meet its potential in supporting an economic and secure power system and at the same time lower the operating costs for the owner, it is necessary to thoroughly and systematically investigate the value-adding services that an EV may provide. The Danish Nikola project defines EV services as the act of influencing the timing, rate and direction of the power and energy exchanged between the EV battery and the grid to yield benefits for user, system, and society. This paper describes the services identified by Nikola and shows how the project aims to evaluate and demonstrate them in simulations and field tests. This paper is both meant to give the reader insights and inspiration from the project approach, but it is also meant as an encouragement for cooperation and feedback.