Context and Introduction
This article applies to Charge Point Operators who need to operate chargers in Free Vend mode, sometimes also mentioned as Plug and Charge mode. To prevent any misunderstanding, this is not Plug and Charge as per ISO15118. This is an operation mode the chargers offer which allows them to be operated by simply connecting the cable between the charger and the car. As soon as the cable is connected, the charging initiates. The article aims at identifying dependencies when chargers are connected with GreenFlux back-end and required steps to make sure the setup is fully operational, end to end.
Configuration steps
- These configurations should be made before commissioning of the charge station. When not possible, this can also be taken at a later stage.
- Make the required configuration for free vend mode (plug and charge). The exact parameters that need adjustment should be check with the hardware manufacturer/instructions manual, as these vary across manufacturers.
- One of these parameters (e.g. Authorization.PlugAndChargeIDTag) represents the token chip ID that the charge station will use to associate the session to, when it sends the data to the GreenFlux back-end. This parameter typically comes from factory with a dummy value defined (e.g. 0 or 0000 or 1234, NOA, NOAUTH or other). This must be changed, or the Charge Detail Records (CDRs) generated after each charge session will be flagged as invalid. To be clear. The charger works well even with the factory defined values (0 or 0000 or …). The issue is that in EV Portal, the overview of CDRs for a Free Vend charger will be empty: the validation mechanism will reject them, since the token is invalid
must
- Regarding the value that should be assigned as the default chip ID (token), it should be a valid chip ID (token), allowed to charge in that charger, as follows:
- If you are a CPO operator only, check with your CSM the steps to obtain a valid token
- If you are a CPO and EMSP operator, you should create at least one token with your EMSP for this purpose. Notes:
- You can use the same token in more than one charge station.
- When creating the token in GreenFlux back-end for this purpose, make sure that you use the randomize function to generate the chip ID, to guarantee you create a unique chip ID.
This operation mode (Free vend mode) is not a standard OCPP implementation. As such, each manufacturer follows their own implementation and their own set of configuration items, if/when the charge station supports this operation mode. In order to check these configuration items, CPO operators should consult with the manufacturers and relevant documentation.
Best practice
When the CPO business focus significantly on PnC operating mode (e.g. charging in companies), it is useful to request the manufacturer to send the charger with the appropriate configurations from factory or prior to commissioning. In that case, you would then need to provide them with the correct token chip ID then.
Use Cases of Interest for this operating mode
The Free Vend (Plug and Charge) operating mode is particularly relevant for the following Use Cases:
- In chargers for exclusive access and use in residential buildings
- In charger for exclusive access and use in business locations
- In public chargers that offer free charging (some geographies still work like this)