ISO 15118: Everything You Need To Know

The operation of electric vehicles can be cumbersome and relatively inefficient. Thus leading to interoperability problems and slow acceptance. You are happier with the incompatibility of charging systems, the absence of networking standards, and the time lost during EV Topping. Enter ISO 15118—the game-changer. 

All you need to know about ISO 15118 is the standard that changes EV charging. Learn how it simplifies communication between EVs and charging infrastructure. Hence, it creates a smooth, secure, and convenient charging pathway. Now, bid farewell to the compatibility woes and welcome a standardized future. Strap in as this article reveals the must-knows of ISO 15118, placing you behind the wheel of the electric revolution.

ISO 15118 – Brief Overview

Alternatively, you can adopt ISO 15118. It is an international standard that specifies a communication interface enabling electric cars to link up with the grid. This interface allows for bidirectional charging/discharging. It includes secure communication, smart charging, and the Plug & Charge feature used by some electric vehicle networks.

The official standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission for electric road vehicles and industrial trucks is ISO 15118. This standard was developed jointly by the ISO and IEC organizations in 2010. It Features the Plug & Charge section released in 2014. At present, worldwide support for this protocol has yet to be forthcoming.

Unveiling Key Characteristics That Strengthen ISO 15118 Values

1. Ensuring Secure Communication

ISO 15118 ensures that the power grid is protected from any harm. It does this by prioritizing secure communication in the EV charging system. Safeguard the grid. You should make sure of accurate billing when charging your electric vehicle.

The absence of secure messages also means that third parties can compromise messages and edit the billing information. Initiates Plug & Charge, a feature in ISO 15118 that uses diverse cryptographic tools. These tools ensure the security and storage of data sent from charging stations to EVs.

2. Facilitating Vehicle-to-Grid Integration

ISO 15118 selectively combines electric vehicles into the smart grid, referred to as vehicle-to-grid or V2G. Imagine the smart grid as an integrated system that links producers of power. Transformers and consumers using communication technology.

This standard allows charging stations and electric vehicles to send dynamic data. Through this, you can negotiate or renegotiate charging availability. However, electric cars support synchronized charging. This way, you can prevent overloading the grid in a friendly environment to a GRID. The intelligent charging apps develop a personalized schedule for every session you carry out.

3. Optimizing Charging Periods

ISO15118 plays a significant part in the efficient optimization of charging stages. This guarantees a friendly grid due to several vehicles charging simultaneously and not overwhelming the grid. Smart charging apps address an individual’s driving range and departure time needs when designing their personalized schedules. This dynamic method ensures maximum efficiency and allows charging during slack times or when green energy is plentiful.

4. The Role Of ISO 15118 In Improving User Convenience

Enhance the charging process using ISO 15118’s convenient functions to facilitate user access. Your electric vehicle conveniently connects to the charging stand depending on the Plug & Charge mechanism. This immediately gets authorization access for sudden but adequate recharge. This seamless process depends on reliable public-key infrastructures and digital certificates.

All you need is simply plug your EV’s charging cord into the charger, be it at a public station or your home charging unit. For wireless charging, just park your car above the ground pad—no more searching for an RFID card or entering credit card details in a vehicle interface or mobile app to scan QR codes. Whether you’re on the go or utilizing home charging solutions, ISO 15118 makes the process simple and efficient.

5. Unlocking Bidirectional Charging Benefits

Understand the adaptability of ISO 15118, particularly in terms of bidirectional charging. Where your electric vehicle, along with the grid, exchanges energy in opposite directions. Two popular approaches are Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle–to–Home.

Your electric car becomes a reactive power bank, an easy option to balance the grid under overloads at specific periods. In this case, the EV is a viable source to return power to electricity infrastructure through charging stations. Not only does that allow storing the unused electricity, but also you could use it at another station when necessary. Utilize this progressive technology to help with grid stability and energy efficiency.

ISO 15118 Components

1. Understanding Basics

• Know the basis of ISO 15118 through its several sections.
• ISO 15118-I is crucial in establishing basic terms, definitions, use cases, and general specifications that serve as a basis for standardization.
• Understand the determinants in the charging process, load leveling, and payment.

2. Network and Protocol Requirements

• Details of network and application protocol requirements are found in ISO 15118-2.
• In this regard, dig deeper into ISO 15118-3 to investigate the conditions surrounding physical and data link layer levels vital for smooth communication.

3. Conformance Testing

• For network and application protocol conformance testing, comply with ISO standards using ISO 15124.
• Certify Physical and data link layer compliance to ISO 15118-3 conformity tests.

4. Wireless Communication Considerations

• Acknowledge (international standard) ISO/DIS 15118-6, which deals with wireless communication according to the second edition of
• Study ISO 15118-7 depicting network and application protocol needs for mobile communication now forming part of the ISO/DIS 20.
• ISO 15118-0 describes the physical layer and data link requirements for wireless transmission.

5. Second-Generation Protocols

Move into details of second-generation network and application protocol requirements here through ISO 15118-20.

6. Applications Beyond Electric Vehicles

• Uncover the role that ISO 15118 plays in heavy-duty vehicles such as public transportation and harbor automated guided cars.
• However, using ISO 1548-8 in commercial wireless communication operations should be done carefully since operational uptime challenges can occur.

7. Addressing Communication Gaps

• Specify limitations of ISO 15118 in defining internal vehicle communication and beyond the Supplied Equipment Communication Controller (SECC).
• Recognize that anything beyond the SECC and message exchange methodologies is out of scope as specific use cases are addressed.

8. Mitigating Wireless Challenges

• Recognize the caution with which ISO 15118-8 should be considered where wireless communication is used, particularly in a business setting.
• Avoid operational uptime issues using the proven ISO 15118-3 protocol for passenger EV charging.

Applications Beyond Passenger EVs

Heavy-Duty Vehicles

1. Public Transportation

• Explore Public Transit Integration: Beyond passenger EVs in public transportation, ISO 15118 is also used for heavy-duty electric buses to ensure smoother communication between the charging systems and infrastructure.
• Enhance Efficiency: When you follow the ISO 15118 standards, then optimize charging processes and make it easier for yourself to improve public transport systems.

2. Harbor-Automated Guided Vehicles

• Facilitate Automated Operations: ISO 15118 extends its activities to the marine environments, especially in the mechanization aspects of guided vehicles.
• Streamline Charging Processes: Whether electric forklifts or other intelligent vehicles, ISO 15118 guarantees standardized communication that simplifies the charging process for better reliability.

Communication Scope and Limitations

1. Internal Vehicle Communication

• Define Internal Communication: ISO 15118 defines the communication between various vehicle components regarding how parts talk to each other during charging.
• Ensure Coordination: This internal communication aspect is essential in coordinating functions such as battery management and charging control.

2. Supplied Equipment Communication Controller (SECC)

• Understand SECC’s Role: The SECC in the charger is an important feature that complies with ISO 15118.
• Regulate Information Exchange: ISO 15118 guarantees that the SECC can communicate well with vehicles carrying out appropriate information exchange, which ensures a safe and more effective charging process.

3. Out-of-Scope Connections and Message Transfer

• Clarify Out-of-Scope Elements: ISO 15118 forms some connections, and message exchanges outside SECC are not included.
• Highlight Specific Use Cases: While ISO 15118 controls specific applications, the standard does not cover connections and message exchange models outside these scopes.

Testing and Compliance

1. Conformance Testing ISO 15118-4 and ISO 159

• Ensure Protocol Adherence: ISO 15118-4 emphasizes network and application protocol conformance testing to ensure the charging systems comply with the standard.
• Validate Physical and Data Link Layers: This is complemented by ISO 151r8-s, which confirms conformance at physical and data link layers to capture a broader spectrum of compliance.

2. Compliance with Network and Application Protocols

• Emphasize Protocol Adherence: Thus, following the ISO 15118 network and application protocol is vital for keeping communication between electric vehicles and charging equipment pristine.
• Foster Interoperability: By observing these procedures, you guarantee interoperability, which implies that other parts communicate successfully despite the maker.

3. The need for Conformance in Compatibility Assurance

• Secure System Compatibility: Standardization to ISO 15118 is critical in ensuring that charging systems from different manufacturers are compatible.
• Promote Industry Standardization: The main reason for the importance of conformance is ensuring uniform maintenance of a unified and compatible electric vehicle filling station.

Conclusion

To conclude, adopt ISO 15118 for a smooth EV charging process. ISO 15118 ensures compatibility and a standardized future. Bidirectional charging features allow for grid integration and secure communication, guaranteeing protection from damage to the power grid. ISO 15118 maximizes the viable charging periods to promote efficiency and grid awareness.

Benefit from the convenience of Plug & Charge, which brings EV charging hassle-free and eliminates boring tasks. ISO 15118 standard adoption allows you to develop a balanced grid, improve energy efficiency simultaneously, and ensure compatibility between different EV models. Enter the world of EV charging as ISO 15118 pushes you on.

Click to learn: Portable EV charger battery