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1. THE BEGINNING
This innovation came to life when…
Expertise acquired through the rollout of ‘smart meters’ in Victoria was applied to product innovation.
Smart meters are advanced electricity meters which provide real-time/remote monitoring of electricity use. They utilise a communications protocol that also supports other applications, effectively creating an innovation platform. In 2010 DiUS leveraged the Victorian investment in smart meters to start development of a product which is one of the first globally to exploit this innovation platform. Since then, DiUS have broadened application of the ChargeIQ IP to a range of other products that are being taken up by commercial clients.
2. WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
Ensure electric vehicles (EVs) can be safely and efficiently integrated into electricity networks.
ChargeIQ is a dedicated EV charging device that talks to the car, the network and the driver. It allows EV charging to be managed easily and conveniently.
It does this by…
Providing a highly accessible, user-friendly means to manage electric vehicle charging.
ChargeIQ brings the car, the network and the driver together by integrating the various communications platforms. It provides real-time/remote visibility and control of electric vehicle charging by both the driver and the electricity network operator.
3. PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
Electric vehicles (EVs) are not currently designed to minimise impacts upon electricity networks. Widespread adoption of ChargeIQ by EV drivers will minimise electricity costs for not only the drivers, but also the wider community. Modelling by CSIRO found that if unmanaged, EV charging may increase ‘peak demand’ for electricity networks by around 30%.
The benefits to the customer/end-user include…
Improved visibility and control of electric vehicle charging in a user-friendly package. ChargeIQ provides an easy way for drivers to manage charging and access cheaper ‘off-peak’ tariffs. Charging can be managed via the terminal, Internet or by smartphone.
4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
Manually plugging the car in/out, or using a proprietary system that was not integrated with the electricity network.
Feedback from electric vehicle drivers highlighted the poor visibility and control of charging, particularly in relation to electricity costs.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
The simple plug/socket, proprietary vehicle solutions, and dedicated EV charging equipment. These alternatives either do not address driver needs or did so at great expense.
Examples of dedicated charging equipment include those from Better Place, ChargePoint and ECOtality/Blink.
5. TARGET MARKET
This innovation is made for…
Electric vehicle drivers globally.
Plug-in vehicle sales are on the increase: US Department of Energy data show that they are already far ahead of hybrid vehicle sales at a comparable point in their market development. By 2020 the market for electric vehicle charging equipment is forecast to exceed $3.8 billion.
ChargeIQ utilises globally recognised standards to ensure it is suitable for widespread application. In addressing the needs of both drivers and electricity networks, ChargeIQ is well-positioned to take advantage of the dedicated EV charging equipment rebates that are emerging globally.
6. DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
It is available for sale through…
Commercial partners such as electricity utilities and electric vehicle manufacturers.
DiUS can provide industry-ready technology packages tailored to the commercial partner’s product portfolio and target markets.
Our marketing strategy is to…
Promote awareness of the world-leading design and deployment of the ChargeIQ system to the relevant industry sectors through media releases, conferences and strategic relationships.
An example communications opportunity will be release of the final report from a world-first EV charge management project that was undertaken as part of the Victorian Electric Vehicle Trial.
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FINE PRINT
This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
