San Francisco-based Greenlots has introduced an integrated electric vehicle (EV) charging and management platform built on open standards.
Greenlots SKY version 3.0, the latest in the company’s line of site hosts and EV drivers, is based on Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP)—a standard that enables charging stations and central systems from different vendors to easily communicate with each other using network management software. The open standard provides customers with:
- The option to “mix and match” charging stations from different manufacturers;
- The ability to switch network management providers without replacing charging stations, thereby avoiding vendor lock-in; and
- A future-proof solution that eliminates the risk of “stranded assets,” should a network management provider go out of business.
What’s more, SKY v3.0 integrates with currently available charging stations to facilitate slow, medium, or fast service, as well as innovative features for network management, billing, fleet operations, and smart grid/utility optimization.
Specifically, the new platform offers:
- Network management software for real-time monitoring, remote network management access control, real-time pricing optimization, and analytics reporting;
- Billing and driver solutions, including flexible, mobile-enabled payment support (prepaid, subscription, or pay-per-use), user profile management, usage and payment history management, and mobile search and maps for charging station locations;
- EV fleet management, for optimized usage of plug-in hybrid and fully electric fleet vehicles;
- Smart grid and utility optimization, with support for SEP2, Open ADR and HomePlug (News - Alert) Green PHY, Greenlots SKY actively works to extend load control demand and response through integration with major telematics platforms and third-party networks.
Indeed, the platform is suitable for workplace charging for single-site or campus applications; smart grid and utility applications using SEP2, Open ADR, and Home Plug Green PHY; multi-family residential units; retail or public locations; EV fleets; or residential and private use.
Above, a recent Greenlots project, the official charging network for a national automaker and the Malaysian government.
Greenlots launched its first EV charging systems in Singapore in 2008. Over the past five years, the company has successfully installed systems in 13 countries—for Fortune 1000 enterprises, governments, utilities, EV fleets, retailers, OEMs and consumers.
Greenlots is expanding its services throughout North America with additional installations coming online this summer. For example, Autodesk (News - Alert), a leading provider of 3D design and engineering software, will use its charging stations at two San Francisco Bay Area locations. Through the support of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program, Greenlots has used Autodesk software to design and test its EV charging systems.
Greenlots SKY v3.0 can be integrated into an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system or run as a software as a service (SAAS) subscription. It includes a mobile application for drivers.
“As the EV sector evolves, site hosts and drivers have become much more sophisticated and are seeking to avoid proprietary networks that limit flexibility,” said Ron Mahabir, CEO of Greenlots. “The third generation of our Greenlots SKY platform makes the installation and management of charging stations not only easy, but also cost-effective and future-proof. We’re excited to offer a truly open network for the North American and Asia-Pacific markets.”
Edited by Alisen Downey