V2X has a diversified range of stakeholders including OEMs, semiconductor companies, telecommunication operators, and public sector bodies. Different stakeholders in the V2X ecosystem are exploring, testing, and investing to deliver enhanced, connected automotive services and innovations.
- EV user : The success of V2X lies largely with the advocacy of V2X by the EV users. It has been demonstrated by numerous studies that most EV users are generally oblivious of V2X technology, primarily due to lack of awareness.
- OEMs The role of OEMs is paramount in the success of V2X. To enable V2X, there is requirement of V2X capable EVs and EVSEs. However, as of now very few OEMs provide V2X capable hardware.
- Aggregator The role of aggregators is to combine multiple V2X resources and pool them together into a single entity that can participate in the different energy market products. In most markets, there is a minimum bid size required for participation. As a single EV does not have enough capacity to be eligible for participating in the market by itself, multiple EVs needs to be aggregated together. Aggregators then participate in the market products as one single entity, and they control the scheduling of the individual EVs based on the grid and user requirements.
- Energy Distribution Company/Retailer The role of the energy distributor/ retailer is to facilitate the provision of uninterrupted good quality power to its consumers. In case of an energy retailer, its business is primarily related to transaction of energy. It buys energy from the national energy pool (either by participating in the energy market or through other bilateral contracts) and sells power to the consumers, while deriving a profit though this transaction. However, energy distribution companies are also in the business of ensuring the grid is in a stable operating condition. So, it monitors and ensures that the distribution grid itself is healthy while also delivering energy to its consumers.
- CPO The CPO or the Charge Point Operator is tasked with maintaining and operating a charging station. Their business model also largely revolves around delivering energy to the EVs. They buy the power from the energy retailers/DISCOMs and sells them to the EV users. In V2X they can increase their revenue, by also earning when the EVs are used to help support he grid.
- Grid Operator (TSO/DSO) The role of the grid operator is to maintain the grid stability and ensure reliable delivery of power to different consumers. They track the operations of the different grid infrastructure and make sure that all the sub systems in the grid are functioning at their optimum capacity. With the advent of increased DER deployment such as EVs (V1G/V2G), rooftop solar, BESS etc. the responsibilities of system operators have increased.
- Energy market Energy markets are a relatively newer stakeholder in the energy ecosystem. The energy markets are regulated markets that specifically deal with trading of energy between the suppliers (generating stations) and consumers (distribution companies, industries and large consumers).
- Payment manager The payment manager oversees the financial aspects of the V2G applications.
- Telecom operator One of the critical enablers of V2X technology is the requirement of robust communication between the different involved entities. As V2X is a highly collaborative endeavor, the role of communication is significant. It is the responsibility of the telecom operator to provide a secure and reliable communication channel to facilitate the data transmission.
- Policy Maker In order to make V2X a reality, the role of policy makers is paramount. The current market conditions are ill suited for V2X primarily due to lack of user awareness, high implementation cost, regulatory barriers etc. Here, it is the role of the policy makers to in designing and implementing policies that can facilitate the growth of V2X applications. They need to create an efficient ecosystem that encourages the adoption of V2X technologies, facilitates investment opportunities and ensures proper system operation.
- Regulatory Authority The regulatory authorities are needed to create adequate regulations pertaining to V2X. These include interconnection regulations for connection of V2X resources with the grid, safety regulations, energy market regulations that enable V2X to participate in the energy markets as well as different tariff structures suitable for V2X.
- Standard Issuing Authority The successful growth of V2X also rests on the availability of V2X capable hardware for which adequate standards needs to be in place. These standards may include V2X capable charger standards, communication standards, grid integration and safety aspects.
- Testing and Certification authority Post the creation of standards and regulation, there also needs to be testing and certification authority that ensures that the developed products follow the necessary standards.
