Empowering India’s energy and transportation sectors, 20 prominent energy companies have joined forces to create the Unified Energy Interface (UEI) Alliance. This innovative network, inspired by the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), aims to fast-track electric vehicle (EV) charging by facilitating seamless payment and transaction interoperability across various charging networks.
This protocol is known for promoting interoperability across various digital platforms, including the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and Unified Health Interface (UHI).
The UEI Alliance includes leading energy players such as ChargeZone, Pulse Energy, Kazam, and Trinity, alongside tech innovators like Sheru and Turbo. These companies are pioneering the integration of their systems with the UEI network, allowing customers to discover and use charging stations seamlessly, regardless of the operator.
The alliance also benefits from the advisory expertise of renowned think tanks like the Rocky Mountain Institute and the World Resources Institute, ensuring that the initiative aligns with global sustainability and technological advancement standards.
The introduction of the UEI network is poised to transform the EV market by simplifying access to charging infrastructure and enhancing user convenience. Consumers will no longer need multiple access cards or accounts to charge their vehicles, promoting a more streamlined approach to energy consumption.
'By enabling users to easily charge their vehicles across any network, UEI will not only improve convenience but also foster competition and innovation among service providers,' said Raj Kumar, Executive Director at Trinity. He emphasised that such initiatives are crucial as the transportation sector moves towards greater electrification.
Reji Pillai, CEO of India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), highlighted the broader implications of UEI, linking it to peer-to-peer (P2P) trading of green electricity. 'UEI could revolutionise payment settlements in P2P energy transactions, facilitating direct exchanges between peers and significantly scaling up projects like rooftop solar PV systems under the PM Suryoday Yojana,' explained Pillai.
This system promises a significant boost to the green energy revolution in India, streamlining the integration of renewable sources into the national grid and enhancing the economic feasibility of sustainable energy projects.
With a commitment to a not-for-profit model, the UEI Alliance aims to cover minimal infrastructure costs through equal contributions from all member companies. The network has already facilitated 1.4GWh of energy transactions and is expected to expand substantially as more B2C apps join in July 2024.
As the UEI Alliance moves forward, it opens up opportunities for more companies to integrate this system, promising a significant transformation in how energy transactions are conducted across India and potentially setting a new standard for the global power sector. Interested organizations can learn more and join the initiative by visiting ueialliance.org.