Power Dot
This project develops dynamic load balancing algorithms for smart charging and software to centrally manage a network of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in the retail sector. It is for retailers and charger owners/operators who need to integrate EV charging into stores and autonomous retail Pods, especially where increasing available power or installing transformer stations is not possible. It aims to reduce inefficiencies in managing multiple charging points and improve the EV charging experience in retail spaces.
Project at a glance
Focus: Integrated management of a retail EV charging network, including dynamic load balancing and integration into stores/Pods
Key demonstrators: Payment terminals at chargers; QR code experience for real-time session tracking; white-label web app; in-store discount mechanism; autonomous retail concept integrated with charging stations
Operation: Power Dot (leader) with multi-supplier (Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)) compatibility via protocols and APIs; cloud-to-cloud communication with CEME (Electricity Supplier for Electric Mobility)
Objectives
- Develop dynamic load balancing algorithms for smart charging to manage available power across charging points in real time
- Build software for integrated management of a retail-sector EV charger network (centralized monitoring and control)
- Create protocols and application programming interfaces (APIs) compatible with multiple charger suppliers (OEMs)
- Implement control mechanisms for maintenance and user support
- Enable new payment methods and billing flows (including card payment and pre-authorization at terminals)
- Improve retailer and customer experience with data visualization for retailers and customer-facing app features (e.g., charging control, loyalty/discount mechanisms)
What we delivered
Payment terminal integration for EV chargers was defined and progressed, enabling users to view pricing and pre-authorize charging sessions with a credit or debit card, without requiring registration with an electric mobility energy retailer. A QR code-based flow was implemented to allow users to track, in real time, the energy delivered and the cost of the charging session. A cloud-to-cloud communication solution was developed to enable direct interaction between payment terminal hardware and the CEME (Electricity Supplier for Electric Mobility).
Requirements and the solution architecture were defined for an autonomous retail concept integrated with Power Dot charging stations, including 3D design and a space-efficient layout concept. Progress was also made on a customizable white-label web app for retail partners: scanning a QR code routes users to a partner-branded interface (colors, logo, style) with core charging features such as payment, real-time session monitoring, and customer support, supported by configurable front-end tokens/assets and back-end implementation. An in-store discount feature was developed to provide a digital barcode after a charging session starts, convertible into discounts in partner stores, supported by promotional front-end components (e.g., banners and pop-ups) and back-end integrations to activate and manage promo codes based on participating locations and partner-defined parameters.
Metrics
% Female workers: 14,71%
Number of product categories created:
(1) Payment terminal integration
(2) Charging Point Management System (CPMS)
(3) Data visualization platform for retailers
(4) White-label web app for charger control
(5) Dynamic load balancing algorithms (ongoing)
(6) Smart retail at a smart charging location
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