UK Power Networks releases power cut software

UK Power Networks is aiming to increase electric vehicle (EV) charging confidence, with the release of open-source power cut software. 

Called Powercast, the software has been released following a successful trial in collaboration with ev.energy. UK Power Networks is now encouraging all EV charging suppliers in its area to make the most of its recently released API. 

The innovation allows customers in London, the South East and East of England to get more reliable information about whether an EV charger could be out of service due to a power outage through charging apps. 

Users are notified of planned or unplanned power outages, changes to scheduled electricity works, and estimated times for power restoration. 

Luca Grella, head of innovation at UK Power Networks said: “The impact the widescale adoption of EVs will have on our climate cannot be overstated. Over half a million of our customers have made the switch already, but we want to enable everyone connected to our networks to make a safe and reliable shift to such low carbon technology.

“We want EV charging providers across our network, and anyone else who may find it useful, to make the most of the extensive data we have available. Together, we can help increase EV confidence, ensuring customers have every available piece of information they need to help make that next step.”

William Goldsmith, director of Grid and Data Services from ev.energy said: “We’re excited to be the first charging app to use UK Power Networks’ API to send real time power cut updates to customers. Powercast empowers our drivers to make informed decisions about how they charge and helps to minimise disruption caused in the rare event of a power cut.

“We successfully trialled Powercast with 94% of customers surveyed wanting to continue receiving power cut notifications beyond the trial. Working closely with UK Power Networks, we’ve been able to develop a notification feature that not only simplifies charging for our existing customers, but hopefully helps more people to make the switch to an EV with confidence.”

Image of Luca Grella courtesy of UK Power Networks

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