Project
OPEVA
The project aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by addressing key barriers such as range anxiety, charging availability, charging duration, and operational costs.
Full Project Name: Optimization of Electric Vehicle Autonomy
Acronym: OPEVA
Programme: Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) – Horizon Europe (HORIZON-KDT-JU-2021-2-RIA)
Grant Agreement: 101097267
Duration: 01/2023 – 04/2026
Websites:
Project Overview
OPEVA aims to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by addressing key barriers such as range anxiety, charging availability, charging duration, and operational costs.
The project explores how collaboration between multiple actors in the mobility and energy ecosystem—including EV manufacturers, infrastructure providers, software platforms, and grid stakeholders—can improve electric vehicle autonomy and energy efficiency.
OPEVA develops advanced technological solutions across several domains including embedded software, edge computing, artificial intelligence, EV grid integration, and energy-efficient powertrains. These innovations are validated through nine collaborative demonstrators across Europe, involving a consortium of 30+ partners from academia and industry.
By improving charging strategies, grid integration, and predictive capabilities, OPEVA contributes to a more sustainable and efficient mobility ecosystem while supporting the wider adoption of electric vehicles.
Cleanwatts Digital Role
Cleanwatts Digital (CWD) contributes to OPEVA by developing and integrating smart EV charging optimization functionalities into its digital energy management platforms.
The work focuses on integrating EV charging infrastructure with CWD’s energy optimization ecosystem to enable intelligent charging strategies that consider energy market signals, renewable production, and grid constraints.
Key activities include:
- Integration of EV charging optimization within CWD’s digital platforms (CWOS and Kisense)
- Development of smart EV charging algorithms using Day-Ahead energy market signals
- Implementation of demand response mechanisms prioritizing EV charging flexibility
- Optimization of Renewable Energy Community (REC) self-consumption through smart charging
- Simulation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities
- Expansion of the CWD Living Lab within the Portuguese regulatory sandbox environment
Strategic Relevance for CWD
OPEVA strengthens CWD’s capabilities in the fast-growing intersection between energy management and electric mobility.
The project supports the evolution of CWD’s digital platforms by enabling:
- Integration of EV charging as a flexible energy asset
- Advanced demand response and flexibility services
- Improved interaction between distributed energy resources and mobility systems
- New opportunities in smart charging and energy optimization markets
These developments position CWD as a technology provider supporting the energy transition and the electrification of transport.
Expected Impact for CWD
Through OPEVA, CWD expands its product capabilities to support EV charging within integrated energy management systems.
Expected benefits include:
- Reduced EV charging costs for customers through optimized energy usage
- Increased renewable self-consumption within energy communities
- Participation of EV charging assets in flexibility markets
- Strengthening CWD’s digital platforms with mobility-energy integration features
- Creation of new commercial opportunities in smart charging and energy optimization services
Key Innovations
- Smart EV charging optimization based on Day-Ahead electricity markets
- Dynamic EV charging scheduling aligned with renewable generation peaks
- Integration of EV chargers into energy community management platforms
- Demand response mechanisms prioritizing EV flexibility
- Peak-shaving strategies to reduce stress on the electricity grid
- Simulation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) interactions
- User interface evolution to capture EV flexibility parameters
Funding Disclaimer
This project has received funding from the Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking (KDT JU) under grant agreement No. 101097267. The Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and the National Authorities of participating countries (in Portugal, FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia).
