Endesa, in conjunction with 18 partners, is involved in a number of areas of research and development in the VERDE project, chiefly relating to the integration of the charging of the new electric vehicles in the electricity system. Research will be conducted into the impact of the Electric Vehicle on the local electricity infrastructure with the aim of identifying the corresponding needs of the network and development criteria for the creation of a roadmap for the different penetration scenarios.
Endesa has been entrusted with various tasks in the project which will investigate managing pure electric cars and hybrid EVs on smart grids, covering aspects that range from the charging station to control systems.
Endesa will also be involved in and coordinate the development of new tools at different levels (hardware, software and networks) that facilitate the integration of the electric car into the smart grid network and investigate the new communications-related needs of the services.
Development of the Electric Vehicle at Endesa.
Endesa is also involved in other projects aimed at the integration of the electric vehicle into smart grids such as the SmartCity, DER-22@ and REVE (Regulación Eólica con Vehículos Eléctricos) initiatives, and in electric vehicle collaborative research and demonstration projects in Europe such as the G4V and ELVIRE projects.
The G4V (Grid for Vehicles) project has a budget of around Euro 2.5 million, will run for 18 months and involves the main European sector players: ENEL, RWE, EDF, EDP and Vatenfall. Its aim is to evaluate the large-scale impact of the integration of the Electric Vehicle into the electricity grid infrastructure and to establish recommendations for its introduction from 2020. It is also looking at mass use of the Electric Vehicle, its societal impact, the necessary services and communications and possible challenges and opportunities. Endesa is actively involved with Enel in research into its impact on the network and into the development of the communications and systems necessary to charge vehicles.
The ELVIRE project has a budget of around Euro 10 million, runs for three years, and also involves Continental, Renault and Volkswagen. The aim of this project is to develop the necessary technology, solutions and services to permit constant interaction between EV drivers, their energy suppliers and the smart network. A consumer-oriented development is also proposed, with a services platform that optimises communication between users and their vehicles. Of particular note is Endesa’s contribution to the proposed solutions for the development of communication infrastructure with the energy supplier, charge control and system tariffs. Different possible scenarios are being investigated, taking into account security and interoperability.
These projects underline Endesa’s commitment to the development of a sustainable transport policy based on the electric vehicle as a key element of the fight against climate change, a cornerstone of its Sustainability Strategic Plan 2008-2012.
Wind power in Chile
The new wind farm will displace close to 90 thousand tons of CO2 emissions per year. The 40 wind turbines in Canela II generate a total of 60 MW, in addition to the 18.15 MW in operation since 2007. The Canela II station, the biggest wind farm in Chile, was brought on stream by ENDESA. The project added another 60 MW to the Canela I wind farm, on stream since late 2007 in the Coquimbo (Chile) region, with 18.15 MW of power.
Endesa started to build the project in early February 2009, with the installation of 40 new wind turbines with 1.5 MW of power each, on an area covering 1,080 hectares. It is worth highlighting that the new Canela II wind farm will displace close to 90 thousand tons of CO2 emissions per year.
The project was developed by Endesa Eco, a subsidiary of Endesa in Chile, incorporated in 2005. Endesa Eco is devoted exclusively to the promotion and development of renewable energy, with mini-hydroelectric plants, wind energy, geothermal plants, and solar and biomass power plants. It also serves as a depositary for the project’s emission reduction certificates. Apart from the Canela wind park, Endesa has also brought on stream a project for the Ojos de Agua mini-hydroelectric plant, and is studying plans for a mini-hydroelectric plant in Piruquina.
