Southern Company and Ford Pro Collaborate on Innovative EV Fleet Grid-Enhancing Pilot Program
Southern Company and Ford Pro have launched a 6-month pilot program involving over 200 F-150 Lightning trucks and 150+ chargers to explore EV fleet optimization and grid enhancement. The program aims to test how dynamic rates and demand response capabilities can balance energy loads and improve grid operations.
The collaboration will utilize Ford Pro's VG1 charging software and connected vehicle data to develop a scalable model for efficient fleet EV adoption. The pilot focuses on understanding charging behavior, automating schedules to minimize electricity costs, and reducing grid strain. Key objectives include addressing technical and commercial challenges, improving fleet management, and enhancing cost-effectiveness for both fleet operations and grid efficiency.
Southern Company e Ford Pro hanno avviato un programma pilota di 6 mesi che coinvolge oltre 200 camion F-150 Lightning e più di 150 stazioni di ricarica per esplorare l'ottimizzazione delle flotte di veicoli elettrici e il miglioramento della rete elettrica. L'obiettivo del programma è testare come i tariffari dinamici e le capacità di risposta alla domanda possano bilanciare i carichi energetici e migliorare le operazioni della rete.
La collaborazione sfrutterà il software di ricarica VG1 di Ford Pro e i dati dei veicoli connessi per sviluppare un modello scalabile per l'adozione efficiente delle flotte di veicoli elettrici. Il pilota si concentra sulla comprensione del comportamento di ricarica, sull'automazione degli orari per ridurre al minimo i costi elettrici e sullo smorzamento della pressione sulla rete. Tra gli obiettivi principali ci sono la risoluzione di sfide tecniche e commerciali, il miglioramento della gestione delle flotte e l'incremento della convenienza economica sia per le operazioni delle flotte che per l'efficienza della rete.
Southern Company y Ford Pro han lanzado un programa piloto de 6 meses que involucra más de 200 camionetas F-150 Lightning y más de 150 cargadores para explorar la optimización de flotas de vehículos eléctricos y la mejora de la red eléctrica. El programa tiene como objetivo probar cómo los tarifas dinámicas y las capacidades de respuesta de demanda pueden equilibrar las cargas de energía y mejorar las operaciones de la red.
La colaboración utilizará el software de carga VG1 de Ford Pro y los datos de vehículos conectados para desarrollar un modelo escalable para la adopción eficiente de vehículos eléctricos de flota. El piloto se centra en comprender el comportamiento de carga, automatizar horarios para minimizar los costos eléctricos y reducir la presión sobre la red. Los objetivos clave incluyen abordar desafíos técnicos y comerciales, mejorar la gestión de flotas y aumentar la rentabilidad tanto de las operaciones de flota como de la eficiencia de la red.
Southern Company와 Ford Pro는 200대 이상의 F-150 Lightning 트럭과 150개 이상의 충전기를 포함하는 6개월 파일럿 프로그램을 시작하여 전기차 플릿 최적화 및 전력망 개선을 탐구하고 있습니다. 이 프로그램의 목표는 동적 요금 및 수요 대응 기능이 에너지 부하를 균형 잡고 전력망 운영을 개선할 수 있는 방법을 테스트하는 것입니다.
협력은 Ford Pro의 VG1 충전 소프트웨어와 연결된 차량 데이터를 이용하여 효율적인 전기차 플릿 채택을 위한 확장 가능한 모델을 개발할 것입니다. 이번 파일럿은 충전 행동을 이해하고, 전기 요금을 최소화하기 위해 일정을 자동화하며, 전력망에 대한 스트레스를 줄이는 데 초점을 맞추고 있습니다. 주요 목표에는 기술적 및 상업적 도전 과제 해결, 플릿 관리 개선, 플릿 운영과 전력망 효율성 모두에 대한 비용 효과성 향상이 포함됩니다.
Southern Company et Ford Pro ont lancé un programme pilote de 6 mois impliquant plus de 200 camions F-150 Lightning et plus de 150 chargeurs pour explorer l'optimisation des flottes de véhicules électriques et l'amélioration du réseau électrique. Le programme vise à tester comment des tarifs dynamiques et des capacités de réponse à la demande peuvent équilibrer les charges énergétiques et améliorer les opérations du réseau.
La collaboration utilisera le logiciel de chargement VG1 de Ford Pro et les données des véhicules connectés pour développer un modèle évolutif pour une adoption efficace des flottes de véhicules électriques. Le pilote se concentre sur la compréhension du comportement de chargement, l'automatisation des horaires pour minimiser les coûts d'électricité et la réduction de la pression sur le réseau. Les objectifs clés comprennent le traitement des défis techniques et commerciaux, l'amélioration de la gestion des flottes et l'amélioration de la rentabilité à la fois pour les opérations de flotte et pour l'efficacité du réseau.
Southern Company und Ford Pro haben ein 6-monatiges Pilotprojekt gestartet, das über 200 F-150 Lightning-Trucks und mehr als 150 Ladegeräte umfasst, um die Optimierung von Elektrofahrzeugflotten und die Verbesserung des Stromnetzes zu erkunden. Das Programm zielt darauf ab, zu testen, wie dynamische Tarife und Nachfrage-Antwortfähigkeiten die Energiebelastungen ausbalancieren und die Netzoperationen verbessern können.
Die Zusammenarbeit wird die VG1-Ladesoftware von Ford Pro und die Daten vernetzter Fahrzeuge nutzen, um ein skalierbares Modell für die effiziente Annahme von Elektrofahrzeugflotten zu entwickeln. Der Pilot konzentriert sich darauf, das Ladeverhalten zu verstehen, Zeitpläne zu automatisieren, um Stromkosten zu minimieren, und die Belastung des Netzes zu reduzieren. Zu den Hauptzielen gehören die Bewältigung technischer und kommerzieller Herausforderungen, die Verbesserung des Flottenmanagements und die Steigerung der Kosten-Effektivität sowohl für Flottenbetriebe als auch für die Netz-Effizienz.
- Large-scale pilot with 200+ F-150 Lightning trucks demonstrates significant commitment to EV fleet integration
- Integration of smart charging software could lead to reduced operational costs for fleet management
- Potential for new revenue streams through grid-support services
- Strategic partnership with major automotive manufacturer enhances market position
- 6-month pilot duration may be too short to gather comprehensive data
- Significant investment required in charging infrastructure (150+ chargers)
- Initial costs associated with EV fleet transition and infrastructure setup
Insights
This pilot program marks a strategic move in grid management and fleet electrification. Testing 200 F-150 Lightning trucks with smart charging integration will provide valuable data on load balancing and demand response capabilities. The focus on pricing signals and managed charging through Ford Pro's VG1 software could significantly optimize grid efficiency and reduce operational costs.
The pilot's emphasis on dynamic rates and demand response testing is particularly noteworthy for grid resilience. If successful, this model could be replicated across utilities, potentially transforming how commercial fleets interact with power grids. However, the 6-month duration may be too short to capture seasonal variations in energy demand and charging patterns.
For Southern Company, this initiative aligns with their grid modernization efforts and could create new revenue streams through fleet charging programs. The data gathered will be important for developing rate structures and grid management strategies as EV adoption accelerates.
The partnership leverages Ford Pro's comprehensive fleet management ecosystem, combining charging infrastructure, telematics and energy management software. The integration of 150+ chargers with Ford's intelligent charging software represents a significant test bed for commercial fleet electrification.
The focus on the F-150 Lightning is strategic, as it's a vehicle capable of bi-directional charging, though this feature isn't explicitly mentioned in the pilot. The emphasis on automated charging schedules and cost optimization could demonstrate substantial operational savings for fleet operators. This pilot could provide a blueprint for fleet managers considering large-scale EV transitions.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 11, 2024 / Southern Company has joined forces with Ford Pro in a groundbreaking pilot to explore and expand the role of electric vehicles (EVs) within fleet operations. This pilot aims to leverage the expertise of both companies to address barriers in EV adoption, while demonstrating the transformative potential of EV fleets in supporting the resilience of the electric grid for both customers and company operations. Together, Southern Company and Ford Pro are setting the foundation for a scalable, impactful framework for EV fleet grid programs, which benefits energy reliability for all customers.
The 6-month pilot with Ford Pro will involve more than 200 F-150® Lightning® trucks within the Southern Company system's fleet of company vehicles. Utilizing established charging depots and more than 150 chargers with Ford Pro charging software, the pilot will employ pricing signals and demand response to evaluate efficient charging within a fleet environment.
Driving the Future of Electric Fleets
The pilot seeks to establish a comprehensive understanding of how EV managed charging programs can be maximized to benefit both fleet operations and grid efficiency. By integrating Ford Pro's VG1 charging software into the Southern Company system's fleet vehicles, the companies will collaborate to test how dynamic rates and demand response capabilities impact the crucial need to balance energy loads and create more resilient grid operations. This hands-on approach will allow Southern Company and Ford Pro to leverage insights from program data and user feedback to develop a roadmap for creating a flexible and scalable model that enables fleets to adopt electric vehicles with efficient energy and load management, informs future fleet EV charging programs, and addresses key barriers to EV adoption, including technical and commercial challenges, fleet management, and cost-effectiveness.
"This collaboration with Ford Pro exemplifies our commitment to advancing sustainable, grid-supportive transportation solutions," said Hank Adams, Southern Company's SVP of Customer Solutions. "Our collaborative pilot brings together our shared vision for innovative EV fleet programs for customers that not only enhance fleet operations but also contribute to grid resilience, aligning with our mission to build a clean and efficient energy future."
"The business case for electrification is compelling. With reduced fuel, scheduled maintenance, and operational costs compared to diesel and gas vans or trucks, electric vehicles can potentially help lower a fleet's total cost of ownership. This represents a significant value for businesses looking to electrify their fleets," said Ananya Gupta, senior product manager at Ford Pro Charging Advanced Energy Management. "Ford Pro's collaboration with Southern Company underscores our commitment to delivering integrated solutions that combine smart charging software, charging infrastructure, and connected vehicle data through Ford Pro Intelligence. By leveraging these advanced technologies, we aim to create a flexible, scalable blueprint for fleet electrification that supports operational efficiency, sustainability goals, and grid benefits for both Southern Company and its subsidiaries' commercial customers."
Driving Value for Customers
By understanding fleet charging behavior, Southern Company and its subsidiaries can better support commercial and industrial customers as they transition their own fleets to electric vehicles. The collaboration with Ford Pro is expected to deliver actionable insights by integrating connected vehicle data from Ford Pro Intelligence with charging data from Ford Pro Charging software, revealing benefits and opportunities for EVs in fleet operations. The pilot will also explore the use of software that will automate charging schedules to enable customers to charge at times that minimize their electricity costs and reduce strain on the electric grid.
Together, Southern Company and Ford Pro are leading the charge in fostering sustainable EV innovation and creating a more sustainable and resilient energy future. This collaboration not only supports immediate needs for fleet and grid performance but also paves the way for next-generation EV fleet programs that will enhance value to customers and our energy system.
The partnership with Ford Pro is just one of the clean transportation solutions Southern Company is exploring for environmentally responsible fleet transition. To learn more, see Clean Transportation | Southern Company.
View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southern Company on 3blmedia.com.
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SOURCE: Southern Company
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