Learn about the role and responsibilities of a Charge Point Operator through bite-sized videos.

Experienced content writer with over 4 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

Building upon our popular 'eMobility Fundamentals' blog series, we're excited to introduce our latest initiative. 

In an effort to provide concise and clear understanding of electric vehicle-related knowledge, we're delivering a series of short videos.

 You can see the video starting this series here „

The role of a Charge Point Operator and the responsibilities - explanation in the video

A great complementary piece to the video is our article: 

How to become Charge Point Operator and manage the CPO platform?

Being at the forefront of a rapidly changing industry, Charge Point Operators are key players in delivering sustainable and reliable charging infrastructure for eMobility. They must ensure that the charging network is running smoothly and efficiently in order to keep up with industry standards - from diagnostics and maintenance to data management and pricing strategies.

Operators must ensure that EV chargers are operational and available around the clock, which may get difficult once a hefty amount of chargers is there to be managed. In this case, a reliable real-time reporting system for any malfunctions is essential to guarantee a seamless experience and exposure to a wide-range of users.

In order to facilitate that, Charge Point Operators use software that's usually referred to as CPO platforms or EV charging management systems. They’re designed to not only manage the chargers but also to enable mutual connections between different operators and service providers.

The opening of charging stations up for multiple sources of users can be achieved via connecting the platform to the open standards. With the use of open standards, Charge Point Operators can expose their networks to any eMobility Service Provider in a standardized way, enabling faster integration and scaling. All that, while consumers are provided clear information on charging locations, prices and technical advancements alike.

The list of CPO platform’s core features goes beyond the open standards integration. In order for the system to do its job properly, quite a few points should be ticked on the checklist.

Designed to meet all of the charging station needs, from registering customers and activating/deactivating stations, to providing remote maintenance support. Additionally, users can check the logs of their stations as well as send custom messages directly through the interface.

Provides CPOs with a comprehensive approach to cost rate and tariffing strategies, allowing them to ensure their charging conditions are accurately applied in any given situation.

It encompasses load balancing - ranging from static to dynamic and renewables, as well as tailored charging profiles for specific applications such as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). This enables the efficient management of electricity demands while maintaining consistency in power quality and maximized savings on costs.

These are only the tip of the iceberg on the list of features that CPOs need to take into consideration when setting up the platform. Additionally, we can mention:

With the ever-progressing advance within the eMobility industry, it must be remembered that requirements evolve and change and so does the software running in the background. Upgraded versions of open standards or new solutions added to smart charging reinforce staying up to date with industry trends.

Smart grids

Learn about popular eMobility concepts through bite-sized videos. Transcript included. 

 series known from our blog, we’re now taking another step forward in delivering EV-related knowledge. This time, we come forward with a slightly more concise and compact format. In the upcoming series of short videos we’ll aim to unfold and clear up some of the most popular eMobility terms and issues that were previously covered by articles of PDFs.

Charge Point Operator (CPO) vs eMobility Service Provider (eMSP) - what’s the difference?

A great complementary piece to the video is our article 

As the electric car industry accelerates, more and more technical terms appear, leaving many people unfamiliar with the market’s lingo. In this booming business, especially two names are now widely mentioned. These are the key players that have emerged in the line of eMobility business: Charge Point Operators (CPO) and eMobility Service Providers (eMSP) in question will be our focus for the next couple of minutes.

Charge Point Operators are the cornerstone of maintaining a reliable charging infrastructure. Through data-driven connectivity they plan, construct, install and maintain these electronic fueling points to make sure that EVs have a steady source for energy supply. Unlike eMobility Service Providers, Charge Point Operators focus on the technical aspects of hardware maintenance and installation, which places them at the forefront of those responsible for the growth of the charging network.

With most of the chargers available 24/7, CPO’s main point of interest lies in keeping them up and running while responding to potential malfunctions in real-time. In order to facilitate that, they use a special software often referred to as CPO platforms. With those, Charge Point Operators can remotely view their chargers' state (for example: which devices are currently occupied or which do not seem to be working properly).

With the technology moving forward at a skyrocketing pace, more and more functionalities are being added, leaving mighty capability in CPO’s hands. For example: the Dynamic Load Management mechanism allowing CPO’s to shift the energy load depending on demand.

eMSPs are in charge of making sure that EV drivers have access to easy-to-use charging services and apps, so they can locate a station with ease. Additionally, these companies manage the monetization side of the equation for operators by establishing tariffs and payment methods as well as providing real-time billing options. eMSPs are essentially responsible for the first-hand driver’s experience with the use of a charging station.

Being the customer-facing side of the EV charging maintenance, the apps offered by eMobility Service Providers serve quite a few fundamental purposes. They allow their users to locate, reserve, remotely start or stop the charging stations as well as settle the payment up for the charging session.

Set side by side in just a few words, Charge Point Operators are those who manage the hardware aspects of EV charging, whereas eMSP's are the vital link in ensuring that CPO’s products are ready for EV drivers to make use of.

eMSPs and CPOs are working hand in hand to make eMobility a reality. With the help of an app delivered by eMobility Service Providers, electric car drivers can find charging stations quickly, conveniently and with ease. Meanwhile, CPOs ensure that this infrastructure is properly connected for safe usage - allowing all drivers to access reliable charging options.

Video Guide: CPO vs eMSP

Download our paper on Demand Response and learn all about it!

Lately, there has been quite a lot of debate about the capacity of the grid all over the world. With tensions rising, many people are voicing their concerns in terms of the potential grid overburdening. However, while speaking about it, one must remember how complex the whole ecosystem is.

The global energy system is a vast and complex network that supplies energy to homes and businesses across the entire planet. It includes everything from power plants and transmission lines to distribution systems and end-use customers. At the heart of this system is energy management. This is the process of planning, controlling, and optimizing the use of energy resources to meet specific objectives. It involves countless operations making sure that the entirety runs smoothly.

Demand response is one of the technologies involved in grid’s proper operation. 

Per definition, demand response is a change in electricity consumption by consumers to help keep the supply and demand of electricity in balance. This can be done by either reducing or increasing their electricity usage depending on the needs of the grid.

Through demand response, utilities can reduce the need for investment in new generation capacity, as well as improve grid stability and resilience. For consumers, demand response programs can offer financial incentives and other benefits.

The whole technology, however slightly complicated at first glance, brings a whole plethora of benefits for both - energy consumers and the grid itself.

In our downloadable PDF, we shed light on all the important aspects of demand response:

What are the main branches of the energy system?

What’s the role of the grid in the ecosystem?

Examples of demand response in practise (including eMobility solutions)

How does demand response impact the energy system?

All about demand response

See a little insight into the world of energy efficiency and learn what it brings to the table.

As we have stated before, we’re going to elaborate slightly more on the topic of energy. Rooted deeply in said matter, eMobilty plays an important role and fits right into the subject of energy management and distribution. Given the ever-circling debates on potential impact of electric vehicles on global energy resources, the need to extend the narration is even more grounded.

The practice of energy efficiency is the act or ability to use less resources on a task, followed by decreased consumption and waste. In general, energy efficiency is the ratio of the useful output to the total input of any resource. For example, high-efficiency appliances use less electricity than standard appliances, and better insulation in a home reduces the amount of heating and cooling energy required.  The study of energy efficiency looks at the ways to reduce the amount of energy required to provide a given service or function and the research is being conducted at nearly every aspect of the usage. It also includes improving the overall efficiency of systems, such as a power grid or transportation system.

Energy efficiency is a vital component in achieving net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide through decarbonization. It can be one the easiest and most cost effective ways to combat climate change while also providing consumers with lower prices on their electricity bills as well improving competitiveness among businesses

The motivation to improve energy efficiency is vast and diverse. The act of decreasing our use of fossil fuels can result in financial savings, while also reducing cost on consumers.The need or desire for economical practices has never been greater than it currently stands: with the prices at an all-time high. The economic crisis has forced people to re-evaluate the way they use energy in their homes and businesses. According to the 2012 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, improving commercial building energy efficiency could save American businesses $40 billion annually by 2030.

It's not just businesses that can benefit from saving money on their energy bills; households can also make a significant dent. The same study found that if households across the United States improved their energy efficiency by 10%, they would collectively save $19 billion annually on their utility bills.

While there are many motivations to pursue energy efficiency, one of the most important is simply that it is better for the environment. Burning fossil fuels emits harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which is leading to irreversible climate changes. In fact, improving energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the short-term, some energy efficiency improvements may require a higher upfront investment, but offer significant long-term savings. In the long-term, energy efficiency improvements can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a healthier environment. Nevertheless, there is a whole plethora of possible adhibitions in nearly every area that requires energy.

Improving the energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing and processes can be challenging, but it can also lead to significant reductions in energy consumption and emissions. In many cases, energy-efficient technologies can be readily adopted in existing facilities with minimal investment.

In other cases, more comprehensive approaches may be required that involve changes to production processes or the adoption of new technologies. Improving the energy efficiency of industrial manufacturing and processes can also require changing equipment, upgrading controls and instrumentation, and modifying operating procedures.

Extracting and processing raw materials generally requires a significant amount of energy. Reducing the energy intensity of these operations can have a major impact on overall energy consumption.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of resource extraction and processing, including using energy-efficient equipment, optimizing processes, and adopting best practices.

Buildings account for a significant portion of total energy consumption. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including improving insulation, upgrading heating and cooling systems, air conditioning, smart thermostats and using energy-efficient lighting i.e. LED. Many incorporate renewable sources as well, such as solar panels on the roofs.

Appliances and consumer electronics are also a big part of total energy consumption. Improving the energy efficiency of appliances and consumer electronics can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of appliances and consumer electronics, including using more efficient models, turning off devices when they are not in use, and properly disposing of old or broken devices.

The transportation sector is one of the most energy-intensive sectors of the economy. Improving the energy efficiency of transportation can help to reduce energy consumption and emissions.

There are a number of ways to improve the energy efficiency of transportation, including optimizing routes and consolidating shipments. In some cases, it may also be possible to substitute energy-intensive transportation modes with less energy-intensive alternatives. Interesting fact may be that with electric vehicles, the efficiency is estimated to be around 90%, meaning that only 10% of the energy is not directly used.

One of the most important benefits of energy efficiency is that it can help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the main drivers of climate change, and they have a variety of negative impacts on human health, agriculture, and natural ecosystems. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases is thus a key goal of many energy efficiency programs.

In addition to reducing emissions, making buildings more energy efficient can also save money on energy bills. This is because using less energy generally leads to lower energy costs. For example, switching to more efficient lighting can lead to significant savings on electricity bills. In some cases, the savings from energy efficiency measures can be used to offset the costs of implementing those measures.

Finally, improving the energy efficiency of buildings can also improve the competitiveness of businesses. This is because businesses that use less energy often have lower operating costs. In addition, energy efficient buildings often have higher resale values than their less efficient counterparts.

Overall, the benefits of energy efficiency are wide-ranging and significant. By reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, saving money on energy bills, and improving the competitiveness of businesses, energy efficiency provides a key solution to many of the world’s most pressing problems.

Video Guide: The role of a Charge Point Operator and the responsibilities

02 MAY 2023 • 0 MIN READ