Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is a communications convention that solves the problem of interoperability among electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS) regardless of the manufacturer. It can connect any charging station with any management software as long as the charging station is compliant with OCPP. The protocol is promoted by the Open Charge Point Alliance which is a global consortium of companies who encourage the use of open standards.
OCPP is transforming the landscape of electric vehicle charging systems (EVCS), and it’s particularly crucial for condominiums. In this article, we’ll explore why OCPP matters for property managers and how JPlug.io’s collaboration with MicroOCPP enhances our compatibility.
Why is OCPP important for condominiums?
Interoperability
Let’s say that you are the property manager of a building where residents have been installing EV Chargers not following any guidelines on a first come, first served basis.
This scenario often results in a fragmented system where these chargers struggle to communicate with each other. However, the adoption of OCPP-compliant Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (EVCS) changes the game entirely. By integrating these OCPP-compatible chargers into a charging station management system (CSMS), such as the one offered by JPlug.io, you ensure not only the harmony of your building’s electrical infrastructure but also accurate billing based on electricity usage. Moreover, it paves the way for future expansion, giving you peace of mind knowing that your EV charging infrastructure is not only efficient but also scalable.
Choose from a wide pool of EVCS manufacturers
Since the beginning of OCPP, many manufacturers have opted to get their hardware certified in this protocol. This is a great benefit for condominium owners and property managers because this gives you the ability to change, upgrade, or replace your hardware for the one of your preference without worrying about compatibility issues.
The list of companies is long, but here are a few names to mention: Siemens, ABB, LG, Hyundai, Wallbox, among others.
JPlug.io and MicroOCPP
Our Charging Station Management System is fully compatible and compliant with all OCPP enabled Electric Vehicle Charging Systems. From the beginning we have partnered with electric vehicle manufacturers like Teltonika, ELMEC (EVDuty) to fully integrate the all the capabilities of their hardware.
On the software side, we have established a collaboration with Arduino OCPP (now MicroOCPP). MicroOCPP is a s an OCPP connector running on EVCSs. As an open source project it is used by different EVCS manufacturers to integrate their devices into charging networks.
This collaboration ensures JPlug.io’s CSMS compatibility with all of EVCS manufacturers in North America and around the globe. MicroOCPP gives us the advantage to rapidly integrate and test our software with new hardware functionalities like NFC sensors, card readers, and more. This way, we can present a solution that meets the EV Charging requirements for any condominium building in no time.
Our recommendation
Install EVCS equipment that is compliant with OCPP. This will give your condominium independency from one manufacturer only and lower costs of maintenance and repairs.
Feel free to contact us with your EV Charging requirements for your apartment building or condominiums. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you find the best EV Charging solution for your building.
