As part of the 2Zero partnership, the XL-Connect project is at the forefront of advancing smart and bidirectional charging for electric vehicles in Europe. The project has recently achieved a major milestone with the publication of three critical deliverables under Work Package 5: ‘D5.1 – Planning of Virtual and Real-World Demonstration Actions’; ‘D5.2 – Virtual Demonstration Actions’; ‘D5.3 – Real Demonstration Actions ‘. 

These documents lay the groundwork for both virtual and real-world testing of advanced charging strategies that aim to optimise the interaction between EVs and the energy grid. Together, these results showcase the project’s comprehensive approach to bridging simulation and reality in the development of next-generation EV charging solutions.

This deliverable provides the strategic framework for all demonstration activities carried out within WP5. It outlines the geographical and grid contexts of each demo site and introduces a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the outcomes. A key contribution of this document is the mapping of synergies between virtual simulations and real-world applications, ensuring that lessons learnt in one domain are effectively transferred to the other.

The project’s overarching goal is to optimise the full charging chain, from energy supply to the end-user, through the implementation of smart and bidirectional charging (V2G/V2B). The planned demonstrations are designed to validate these charging strategies in diverse environments, including both private test settings and public use cases, where realistic user behaviour and grid interactions can be observed.

This deliverable focuses on the development and evaluation of advanced charging strategies in simulated environments. Virtual demonstrations allow the project to explore complex, large-scale scenarios that are not yet feasible in the real world due to infrastructure or market constraints.

Through simulations, XL-Connect can assess the performance, scalability, and robustness of V2G and V2B functionalities in a variety of use-cases. These insights are essential to guide future physical implementations and ensure that the solutions developed are both technically sound and practically viable.

The third deliverable translates theory into practice, detailing the implementation of real-world demonstration sites across Europe. Each site targets specific research questions and use-cases, adapted to local grid and regulatory conditions.

Despite existing market limitations, such as the low availability of V2G-capable vehicles and supporting infrastructure, XL-Connect has adopted innovative workarounds. These include using digital twins, hardware emulators, and stationary storage systems replicating bidirectional charging behaviour. The demonstration actions not only prove technical feasibility but also generate valuable data to inform future deployments at scale.

The results of Work Package 5 represent a critical step forward for the XL-Connect project and for Europe’s transition toward sustainable, intelligent mobility. By integrating virtual simulations with real-world validations, XL-Connect is paving the way for smarter energy exchange, stronger grid resilience, and a more flexible EV ecosystem.