How the Spanish ECLIPSE DIGITAL Pilot Is Bringing Flexible EV Charging to the Grid
How can electric vehicles do more than simply consume electricity?
That is exactly what the Spanish pilot of the ECLIPSE DIGITAL project aims to demonstrate. By combining smart charging technologies with digital energy services, the pilot is showing how EVs can become an active part of a more flexible, efficient and sustainable electricity system.
Located at Iberdrola´s Innovation and Training Campus in San Agustín de Guadalix (Madrid), the pilot is led by i-DE (Iberdrola Group) with aelēc as a key partner. As one of ECLIPSE DIGITAL’s 14 demonstration sites, it will validate innovative digital solutions that contribute to the development of the Common European Reference Framework (CERF) for energy applications, helping to improve the interaction between users, electric vehicles and the electricity grid.
Building a Smart EV Charging Ecosystem
The Spanish demonstrator has now entered a key deployment phase, with the main digital components already developed and the physical infrastructure currently being installed at the Iberdrola Campus.
The user and administrator applications have been completed, together with the optimisation algorithm for private electric fleet management and the integration of the platform with external energy services. In parallel, work continues on the installation of several charging points, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) chargers, and a dedicated server that will support the demonstrator. The next major milestone will be the integration with the SIORD platform, scheduled for the coming months.
Once fully operational, the pilot will validate how smart charging and Vehicle-to-Grid technologies can optimise charging processes using information from different sources, including electricity prices, grid conditions, carbon emissions and charging infrastructure.
Putting Users at the Centre
One of the key components of the Spanish pilot is the ECLIPSE DIGITAL user application, designed to help drivers make smarter charging decisions while contributing to a more efficient electricity system.
The application gives users greater visibility over both energy prices and environmental impact, enabling them to decide when and how to charge their vehicles.
One of its most innovative features is the Charging Preferences screen, where users can prioritise the factors that matter most to them when scheduling a charging session.
For example, they can choose whether to optimise charging based on:
- the lowest electricity price,
- the lowest carbon emissions,
- or the desired battery charge level.
This flexibility allows users to adapt charging sessions according to their own priorities, whether they are looking to reduce costs, minimise environmental impact, or ensure their vehicle reaches a specific state of charge.
Another screen provides visibility of electricity market prices and hourly carbon emissions, helping users understand how charging at different times of the day can affect both their energy bill and their carbon footprint.
These features demonstrate how digital applications can transform complex energy data into simple, actionable information for consumers.
Supporting a More Flexible Electricity Grid
While the user experience is at the heart of the demonstrator, the project also addresses one of the biggest challenges facing Europe’s energy transition: making better use of existing electricity infrastructure.
By intelligently coordinating EV charging sessions, the platform helps reduce demand peaks, minimise network congestion and improve the integration of renewable energy sources. At the same time, it provides valuable flexibility services that can support Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and potentially delay costly investments in new grid infrastructure.
For end users, this translates into lower charging costs and a reduced carbon footprint. For the electricity system, it demonstrates how electric vehicles can evolve from being simple electricity consumers into active contributors to grid stability.
“For us, this pilot is about showing that electric vehicles can become an active part of the energy system. If we can make charging smarter, users save money, the grid becomes more flexible, and we move one step closer to a more sustainable energy future.” — Spanish Pilot Team, i-DE.
From Pilots to the Future of Smart Mobility
The Spanish pilot is an important example of how digital technologies can unlock the full potential of electric mobility.
By combining interoperable digital services, advanced optimisation algorithms and intuitive user applications, ECLIPSE DIGITAL is demonstrating how the Common European Reference Framework (CERF) can help transform energy data into practical solutions that benefit both consumers and network operators.
As deployment progresses, the experience gained in Madrid will provide valuable insights for future CERF-based applications, helping accelerate the transition towards a smarter, more connected and more resilient European energy system.
