The Unified Energy Interface (UEI) Alliance brings together stakeholders in the energy sector for economic transactions. UEI links platforms dealing in energy & its derivatives such as EV charging, battery swapping, renewable energy, etc.

So, what’s in it for us? How does it benefit EV users?

Once UEI is in full effect (in near future), EV users will be able to access any public EV charger without having to download a separate app for it. And post the charging session, the payment process will be seamless. The whole procedure will be comparable to how we spot a petrol pump, get our vehicles filled and transact post refueling.

UEI’s primary aim is to promote interoperability within the energy sector via Beckn Protocol, thereby scaling the UEI network. Beckn Protocol is an open source architecture that allows for economic transactions across digital platforms & networks.

The UEI Alliance is committed to the adoption of the Beckn Protocol for energy-related economic transactions between different platforms. With respect to EV charging, UEI, similar to UPI, is designed to facilitate seamless transaction interoperability among EV charging networks, cutting across brand limitations and making things convenient for EV users.

Focus Areas:

The primary aim of UEI is to increase transaction volume within the EV charging network. The alliance has put forward a scalable model for easy integration of new & existing participants. Interoperability between various EV charging networks can help in increasing charger utilization and reducing range anxiety in EV users. It will also allow for streamlined payments.

Impact of UEI:

The Unified Energy Interface (UEI) Alliance is currently facilitating over 13,000 EV charging sessions daily (which accounts for around 60 MWh of energy distributed). Since its formation in April 2024, the alliance has expanded to 30 members including Kazam, Pulse Energy, Sheru, ThunderPlus, ChargeZone, VerdeMobility and others.

How does UEI work?

UEI doesn’t physically transfer energy. It facilitates the creation of ‘energy transfer contracts’ that lead to physical delivery:

1. Beckn Gateway: Acts as a central registry, listing all registered participants (buyers & sellers).

2. Beckn Application Provider (BAP): Represents the user-facing apps. Users interact with BAPs through apps or in-vehicle infotainment screens to discover energy providers, compare options & carry out transactions.

3. Beckn Platform Provider (BPP): Represents the seller-side, such as EV charging CPOs. BPPs connect with BAPs to manage transactions and execute service requests.

Kazam’s UEI-enabler app LEO:

Built on the Beckn Protocol, Kazam’s UEI-enabled platform LEO lets EV owners use chargers from any CPO as long as they are UEI-enabled. Kazam LEO is a simple web app (PWA) that can be easily integrated into your existing EV charging app in a webview to make it instantly UEI-enabled. Kazam LEO is India’s 1st UEI-enabled ‘Scan & Charge’ app. No need to download multiple apps from different CPOs or depositing money in multiple wallets. Ask your CPO for UEI-enablement or simply switch to Kazam.

Difference between UEI & OCPI:

While both OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface) & UEI focus on streamlining the EV charging process, they serve different functions. OCPI focuses on information exchange between EV charging networks. It allows networks to share data on charger availability, real-time status, roaming & pricing. On the other hand, UEI tackles the payment side of things. It facilitates seamless transactions between EV charging networks, doing away with multiple accounts and payment methods.

How much can interoperability improve charger utilization?

According to data analytics company EVALUESERVE, at present, apart from providing ease of access to EV users, interoperability can boost the utilization rate of charging stations by 10-15%, enabling CPOs to earn more. Fragmented EV charging networks will benefit from consolidation through initiatives like UEI and Google Maps listings.

Managed EV Charging:

Managed EV charging is a way of charging that examines the needs of the EV & the grid. The aim is to balance the needs of the EV with the needs of the grid. Managed EV charging can help ease pressure during peak, non-renewable energy hours. For instance, Delhi paid a 40% premium for electricity this summer due to additional power procurement costs.

In the near future, 40-50% of Delhi’s peak demand will be driven by domestic cooling and EV charging (for electric buses & commercial EVs). UEI-led ‘managed EV charging’ will have a tremendous scope of reducing these costs.

UEI Applications Outside EV Charging:

UEI can transform clean energy integration. Despite the rapid adoption of renewable energy sources like rooftop solar panels, digital energy platforms are fragmented. This fragmentation leads to inefficiency, such as underutilization of distributed energy storage and missed opportunities for monetizing resources.

UEI can bridge these gaps via an open market for energy platforms to collaborate. Whether it’s energy discovery, ordering, fulfilment or post-fulfilment (via a defined payments settlement process), UEI can facilitate seamless transactions, strengthening integration & operational efficiency.

Conclusion:

UEI has the potential to create a huge ecosystem and manage energy for seamless EV charging, energy storage & distribution. It is already simplifying communication between different stakeholders, and in future, has a lot more to offer to CPOs, DISCOMs & end consumers.

For complete EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website and reach out to us at Kazam Business.