OCPP vs IEC 63110 - Open Communication Protocol for V2G

At the present moment, electric vehicles (EVs) circulate the world in millions and there are tens of thousands of charging stations meeting their needs. All major automobile, power, and energy sectors are learning to cope with the massive and increasing demand for electric car usage. The goal is to integrate electric vehicles into electricity grids with immediate coordination and communication links between various mobility and energy entities and the charging management systems. OCPP has been instrumental in this transition from minimizing local electricity networks to controlling thousands of charging stations worldwide. The IEC 63110, however, is the additional standard protocol required to facilitate bi-directional systems of charging in the future by merging OCPP with other front-end protocols.

What is OCPP Protocol?

Open communication protocols are rules or guidelines designed to facilitate effective interaction and data exchange between several connected entities. Let's break this down a bit!The OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is what you can describe as the middleman or the linking entities (communication system) between the conductive charging system or charging stations (charging station management systems (CSMS).

Source: chargelab.co[/caption]The linking entities can be divided into the front-end and back-end protocols. The front-end protocol is responsible for connecting the car, charging stations and sockets. The conductive charging system comprises an interactive system, secured data system and boarding charging equipment. The back-end protocol for OCPP links the charging station and the third party user. The OCPP has the following features:

1. Openness
2. Interoperability
3. Maturity
4. Market Adoption

The openness of OCPP makes it possible for every type of electric vehicle and e-mobility entity to use the V2G protocol developmental process. The interoperability of OCPP gives room for multiple systems to work concurrently without restriction. Maturity shows that OCPP protocols can be upgraded, used in real-time and has undergone several user testing. The fact that many users have adopted it shows the level of its market adoption.

IEC 63110 EV Charging Standard.

The IEC 63110 provides communication links for the conductive charging station and electric vehicles. IEC 63110 is also known as the protocol for the Management of Electric Vehicles charging and discharging infrastructures.[caption id="attachment_8674" align="aligncenter" width="711"]

Source: switch-ev.com[/caption]The IEC 63110 and a host of other ISO standards are responsible for a higher and swift level of interoperability in the front-end communication and signal distribution between smart grid infrastructures such as EVs and the conductive charging spots/stations.The IEC 63110 by design is complex based on the protocol standard. However, the procedure in its design ensures cybersecurity, interoperability, grid integration and scalability.The model of the design starts with an interface that allows all the actors in a specific market to interact together. Then, IEC 63110 provides a communication standard that explains these protocols and their interaction to ease the flow of information.

Relationships Between IEC 63110 and OCPP

The OCPP and IEC 63110 are base-level protocol systems needed in V2G for effective communication. A lot of users and enthusiasts might ask: "Should one of them be discarded or can they both co-exist?" While OCPP and IEC 63110 are more alike than we realize, they are unique in their functionalities and specifications.

1. The OCPP and IEC 63110 are like siblings with a little more edge over each other. However, they have profound similarities in grid management abilities, payment authentication and authorization (IEC 63100 has more features), energy transfer management and electric vehicles equipment management.
2. The OCPP and IEC 63110 both provide similar advantages in eliminating waiting time during integration, and IT challenges. But, more so, they offer active interoperability that is vital for all operators, businesses, property owners and electric vehicle drivers.
3. The OCPP and IEC 63110 are the great driving forces for the efficient working condition of conductive charging stations and users (operators).
4. OCPP has unique specifications such as authorization of the charging process between the EV and the power grid. Moreover, it is responsible for the authentication and billing process when users pay for the charging service. While OCPP and IEC 63110 have quite a similar function here, some experts believe that the IEC 63110 is an upgrade to the OCPP and has an improved e-mobility interaction and communication system.
5. The OCPP has an upgraded version to provide an intelligent charging service. Users can schedule or reserve a charge whenever they want. More so, it is open-sourced and free with no restriction to a single vendor. The IEC 63110 is the latest design of the Joint Working Group (JWG 11) of the IEC Technical Committee established by three European countries (Germany, France and Italy). The ICE 63110 covers the management of EV charging and every other infrastructure associated with it.

Conclusively, the IEC 63110 has quite the edge over the OCPP. Since it is newly designed, it comes with a better topological charging system and grid integration. Furthermore, the support communication system embedded in the IEC 63110 rivals any other design because of the new e-mobility control architecture.

Conclusion

The Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration is crucial to the success of the widespread use of electric vehicles and reducing the cost for electricity grid reinforcement while facilitating the implementation of renewable energy resources.OCPP facilitates the compatibility and communication experience for different entities and equipment to ensure universal support for V2G integration. OCPP can help improve the charging experience for customers, cost-effectiveness, and be the crucial part of a quicker innovation to EV usage.IEC 63100 would help tackle the gaps in the protocols, test and support the development of these protocols and enhance their improvement.

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