A massive diffusion of EVs (plug-in hybrid or pure plug-in electric) will impact customer energy use, load shapes, and utility system operations. If appropriately managed, EVs represent an opportunity to reduce environmental impact, accommodate a larger share of renewables, provide storage and ancillary services to the grid, and ensure customers' convenience.

This case study provides in-depth assessment on the Danish project Electric vehicles in a Distributed and Integrated market using Sustainable energy and Open Networks (EDISON). The EDISON project aims to design a full-scale system for implementation of EVs in Denmark. The study provides a description of the project's background, approach, and partners involved; describes ICT components; analyzes the possible lessons to be learned; and defines the prospective impact.

"The utilities industry recognizes that a mass market of EVs requires innovative interactions between the customer and several stakeholders (e.g., energy companies, charging infrastructure providers, auto and battery companies), a common hardware solution (socket-connector charging point), and innovative communication and data handling based on standardized metering protocols," said Roberta Bigliani, research director for IDC Energy Insights EMEA.