Helsinki Pilot

Smart Charging in an Urban Residential Setting

Location and context

The Helsinki pilot is located in Ruoholahti, a southwestern district of the city’s central area. The pilot focuses on an urban parking environment with 1,200 parking spaces, of which 40 are dedicated to testing ePowerMove’s smart charging solutions. These spaces include both kerbside public parking and designated residential parking lots, reflecting a typical mixed-use urban setting.

Most parking spots are equipped with 3.6 kW household plug infrastructure. The pilot is designed to ensure that the low-cost, bidirectional AC charging solution remains effective under Nordic climate conditions, addressing challenges related to cold weather and winter maintenance.

Demonstration activities

The Helsinki pilot will test bidirectional AC chargers with a charging power of 11 kW and Type 2 connectors, developed by ePowerMove partners. These chargers will be installed using a novel, patent-pending mechanical system that reduces installation costs and minimizes urban disruption. The pilot emphasises urban aesthetics and pedestrian-friendly design. The slim, kerbside pole chargers will ensure that walkways remain unobstructed.

Beyond the charging infrastructure, this pilot will explore the integration of rooftop solar panels with EV charging. Ruoholahden Pysäköinti, in collaboration with local housing cooperatives, will test an energy community model, where multiple properties can share the electricity generated from existing and new solar installations. This will be further expanded with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) testing, allowing solar energy collected during the day to be stored in EV batteries and used in the evening.