On 13 December 2024, we started a new project with Mitsubishi Retail Energy (MCRE), creating a new utility plan with time-of-use (TOU) tariffs and most importantly, that comes with demand response (DR) capabilities.

This new utility plan, known as “Hiru-Wattoku Plan” (literally meaning daytime value plan), has electricity prices vary based on the time of day, reflecting the demand and supply of electricity. More specifically, electricity prices between 9am and 3pm are cheapest, whereas utility is most expensive at the peak hours between 4pm and 9pm.

Whilst TOU tariffs are not uncommon, what is unique about this project is our experimentation with “demand response” (DR) by controlling EV chargers.

EV users who sign up for this project will have their EV chargers connected to Yourstand’s backend via OCPP. EV charging is controlled during periods of tight power supply-demand balance and automatically carried out during times when electricity is more abundant and cheaper.

This approach aims to address social challenges posed by the increasing use of renewable energy while offering benefits to EV users.

Additionally, this initiative significantly contributes to GX (Green Transformation) by promoting the efficient use of clean energy through daytime charging (9am–3pm) of EVs, which are large consumers of electricity. By avoiding charging during peak household electricity demand in the late afternoon and evening, it also helps optimize the overall power supply-demand balance in society.

The charger used in this experiment is Pulsar Plus by Wallbox Chargers, with whom Yourstand is a distributor and partner of.

As the world transitions to electric vehicles, the need for demand response capabilities in EV chargers is growing rapidly. By implementing effective demand response models, we can better manage power supply while maximizing the use of solar energy.

Yourstand remains at the forefront of innovation in EV charging, combining cutting-edge technologies like demand response with its services and collaborating with partners such as utility companies to deliver optimal solutions.