The electrical grid is a literal lifeline for our homes and communities and yet, the power supply infrastructure has been struggling for years to meet the needs of an increasingly large population. The grid infrastructure has not kept pace with demand as energy consumption and generation grow over time, leading to imbalances, risk of shortages, and congestion issues.
So what can we do to alleviate these issues?
Monta came up with PowerBank – a preventative solution that detects the imbalance of the grid and briefly pauses your ongoing home EV charge to improve the grid reliability and prevent blackouts. The best part about it? We reward you for letting us do that.
How the electricity grid works
Electricity is one of the most important inventions in human history. It’s used to power our homes, businesses, buildings, and recently our vehicles, too. All of that is possible thanks to the electrical grid which distributes energy from where it’s generated (or collected) to where it’s needed.
The grid is the network of a region (or country) formed by transmission and distribution lines that deliver electricity from the power plants in which it is generated to the end consumers.
The problem is that when electricity production is volatile or there is an excess of consumption, the grid is overworked and that can lead to blackouts and other problems that negatively affect our lives. Because of that, awareness of electricity usage needs to be raised due to the increasing number of EVs. Luckily, there’s a new way to make charging your EV at home more sustainable for the grid – say hello to PowerBank.
How PowerBank works
PowerBank is a Monta app feature that connects different home charge points to the electrical grid system. Through PowerBank, Monta briefly pauses and resumes charging activities when detecting a grid imbalance.
The imbalance is caused by excess energy consumption or insufficient power supplies, making the grid become overworked which can lead to blackouts and other problems that negatively affect our lives. In order to help stabilise the grid, Monta briefly pauses and then resumes charging activities based on how heavy the electrical grid imbalance is at any given moment.
We’re launching the PowerBank Beta program in Denmark and Sweden on 1 January 2023 and have 10.000 seats available. You and the rest of the participants can earn up to 50 DKK of Monta Wallet credit or the equivalent in SEK a month, depending on the amount of electricity used to charge your car. All you have to do is allow Monta to briefly pause and then restart your charge when the grid is going through an unstable moment. Pretty easy, right?
By signing up for the program, you get to be part of the solution for a more sustainable and developed grid, helping your neighbours along the way, with no impact on your charge, and earning Monta Wallet credits on top of that.
Join the PowerBank beta program
As previously mentioned, we only have a limited number of beta seats available, so if you live in Denmark or Sweden and have a charge point at home, you can sign up through the Monta app by going into the charger’s settings.
ONLY FOR SWEDEN: MeterID To become a PowerBank beta user and participate in Grid Services, we need your unique Facility-ID, which can be found on your electricity invoice, electricity contract, or on the electricity metre. It is a unique code that consists of 18 digits and always starts with 735 999.
Learn how to sign up here.
FAQ
What is the electrical grid?
The electrical grid is the infrastructure which covers the whole flow cycle of electricity. From the power plants, where electricity is generated; to transmission and distribution lines, where energy is being transported; all the way to your home, where electricity is being consumed. It is a complex system that relies on a number of different players, including energy providers and regulators.
Why does the grid need help?
Today, the electrical grid suffers from higher peaks and drops than ever before. Electricity production becomes more volatile when it depends on weather – wind and solar – or due to the cost and scarcity of traditional energy resources. As the world becomes more dependent on electricity to power our homes, offices, and communities, the need for energy is increasing. That’s why we need to improve the grid reliability and make consumption more sustainable.
What is PowerBank?
PowerBank is a Monta app feature that connects different home charge points to the electrical grid system. Through PowerBank, Monta briefly pauses and resumes charging activities when detecting a grid imbalance.
The imbalance is caused by excess energy consumption or insufficient power supplies, making the grid become overworked which can lead to blackouts and other problems that negatively affect our lives. In order to help stabilise the grid, Monta briefly pauses and then resumes charging activities based on how heavy the electrical grid imbalance is at any given moment.
Do I have to pay for PowerBank?
PowerBank, like any other Monta feature, is free and subscription-free. You will need to opt-in to access PowerBank as it is currently a beta project.
For how long will my charge be paused?
The pause to the charging process will be around 10 seconds, and the majority of the time it will not last more than 30 seconds. Only in extreme conditions driven by external factors could the pause last up to 15 minutes. Even then, using PowerBank will not disturb your charging experience as your car will be ready to go when you need it to and the battery percentage will reach the levels you determined.
What does it mean that the grid is “imbalanced”?
The grid is balanced when the same amount of electricity that is being generated every second is consumed by the end users. When the amount of energy consumed is much higher or lower than the amount of electricity generated, the grid is imbalanced.
When there is an unexpected increase in the demand or supply of electricity (for example, if a power plant shuts down), the grid becomes imbalanced and the chances of a blackout are higher. To avoid this, Monta can pause the charging of EVs, reducing the electricity demand, and therefore the pressure on the grid.
Why are we doing this?
It is Monta’s constant goal to future-proof the EV ecosystem and make it more sustainable. With increasing volatility and unpredictability in electricity generation and consumption, there is an increased possibility of blackouts or outages that can affect the lives of many. By simply allowing PowerBank to detect the imbalance of the grid and temporarily pausing your ongoing charge, we can all prevent blackouts. A small price to pay compared to the rewards that come from it, if you ask us.
How does the beta benefit me?
By welcoming you as beta testers of PowerBank, Monta is empowering you to be part of the solution to your country’s energy problems by allowing us to pause and restart the charging of your electric vehicle when the grid needs it most.
In exchange, you can receive up to 50 DKK per month (or the equivalent in SEK) in your Monta Wallet, depending on the amount of electricity used for charging your EV.
How do I sign up to be a beta user?
You can sign up through the Monta app by going into your charger’s settings. The only requirements are that you live in Denmark or Sweden and have a charge point at home that can be connected to Monta. Remember we only have a limited number of seats available, so make sure to sign up in good time.
Learn how to sign up here.
Where can I see Monta’s PowerBank? Is there an app I have to download?
PowerBank is a feature available on the Monta app. To sign up to PowerBank, all you need to do is go to your charge points settings in the Monta app and the sign-up button will be available for you there.
Why am I being rewarded for participating in the PowerBank beta program?
We reward you with Monta Wallet credit for allowing us to pause and restart your charge point. Your valuable help allows us to test and develop the grid services we want to offer in the electricity markets, so consider it an appreciation token from us.
