Tilt Energy is proud to partner with EKZ on Smart Charging, a pilot designed to test how intelligently steered flexible EV charging can strengthen power system operations as electrification accelerates.
Why this matters now
As the number of electric vehicles continues to rise, charging demand increasingly concentrates in predictable peaks, especially early evenings on weekdays, which can strain distribution networks when many vehicles charge simultaneously. Smart charging tackles this challenge by shifting charging to periods where electricity is more available and system conditions are more favorable.
In practice, charging can be moved toward:
- low network load periods (e.g., overnight), or
- high solar production windows (daytime PV peaks),
so consumption and generation align more smoothly and the grid is used more efficiently.
The pilot
The Smart Charging pilot starts in January 2026 and runs for 12 months, with around 500 participants across Switzerland who already have an EKZ charging solution installed.
Participants set a simple requirement: when they need the vehicle (and the minimum charge level). The system then optimizes charging automatically, while guaranteeing that the requested charge is reached — without comfort trade-offs. As a counterpart for providing flexibility, participants receive a CHF 5 discount on the monthly base fee.
What we built together
EKZ and Tilt Energy jointly developed the control logic behind Smart Charging. The algorithm:
- evaluates past charging cycles,
- forecasts the vehicle’s expected energy need, and
- generates a site-level charging forecast optimized against EKZ’s next-day dynamic energy and network tariffs.
Where chargers sit outside EKZ’s supply area, the approach can also align with dynamic tariffs published by the local DSO, ensuring the logic remains system-aware.
A step toward system-scale flexibility
This pilot is not just about shifting charging times. It’s about proving operational models for a future grid : one that must integrate more EVs, heat pumps, and renewables without relying solely on costly network expansion. Smart, automated flexibility will be a core capability of that system.
