A Rugby business is helping energy companies prepare for the take-up of electric vehicles by providing the communications infrastructure for the largest trial of electric vehicle charging patterns in the country.
Get Me Connected, based at Somers Road in Rugby, is a business which works on IT solutions for other companies and is involved in the ‘Electric Nation’ project. This project, being run by Western Power Distribution, is working to assess the impact electric vehicles will have on the National Grid and ensure that power is able to be provided as more people start to charge electric vehicles at their home.
Mark met with Adam Steadman, the Chief Executive of Get Me Connected, who explained how he and his team designed and manage the communications technology which makes the entire project function. Adam also installed the first electric nation smart charge point in Rugby, putting the town at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution.
Mark said:
“The take up of electric vehicles has the potential to transform the UK by reducing emissions and allowing us to use much cleaner forms of electricity. The Government is keen to promote the use of electric vehicles as part of the Road to Zero strategy and end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040. However, this will mean a greater pressure on the electricity grid – some estimates suggest that there will be an increase in demand of 3% when more electric vehicles are in use - and so projects like ‘Electric Nation’ which help energy companies prepare for this are vital.”
Mark continued:
“The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee, of which I am a member, is in the process of conducting an inquiry into electric vehicles, the challenges they represent for the energy infrastructure and the actions needed to support the development of this market. It was incredibly interesting to speak to Adam about the work he and Get Me Connected are doing with Western Power Distribution to help the UK prepare for greater use of electric vehicles.”
Adam Steadman, Chief Executive of Get Me Connected, added:
“This has been an exciting time for Get Me Connected being able to provide solutions for such an innovative project. Electric vehicles are part of the future along with other energy storage and management solutions. The technology we have designed we help this and future smart grid projects whatever they may be.”