What is OCPP 1.6 protocol?

The OCPP 1.6 (Open Charge Point Protocol) is a widely adopted standard within the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry. It defines a communication protocol that enables interoperability between EV charging stations and central management systems or back-office systems. OCPP 1.6 facilitates the exchange of information and control commands, allowing seamless integration of charging infrastructure with various software applications.

Benefits of OCPP 1.6 protocol

The implementation of OCPP 1.6 protocol offers several advantages for EV charging networks:

1. Interoperability: Using OCPP 1.6 ensures compatibility between different charging station manufacturers and charging network operators. This interoperability allows EV drivers to charge their vehicles on any charging station regardless of the manufacturer, enhancing convenience and flexibility.

2. Centralized Management: OCPP 1.6 provides a standardized way to monitor and manage charging stations centrally. Operators can retrieve real-time data, such as charging sessions, energy usage, and availability status, from multiple charging stations simultaneously. This centralized management simplifies maintenance, monitoring, and troubleshooting processes.

3. Future-Proofing: OCPP 1.6 supports over-the-air updates, enabling remote firmware upgrades for charging stations. This feature ensures that charging infrastructure remains up-to-date with the latest security enhancements, bug fixes, and functionality improvements, thus future-proofing the investment made in charging equipment.

Technical Features of OCPP 1.6 protocol

OCPP 1.6 protocol incorporates several key technical features:

1. HTTP-based Communication: OCPP 1.6 utilizes HTTP(S) as the underlying communication protocol. This choice allows easy integration with existing web-based infrastructure and simplifies firewall configurations.

2. Request-Response Model: OCPP 1.6 follows a request-response model for communication between charging stations and central management systems. Charging stations initiate requests for various operations, such as starting a charging session or reporting energy measurements, while the central system responds with corresponding messages.

3. Message Structure: OCPP 1.6 defines a structured message format based on JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). JSON offers simplicity, lightweight data representation, and ease of parsing, making it suitable for resource-constrained devices and high-performance systems alike.

4. Security: OCPP 1.6 employs encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure secure communication between charging stations and central systems. These security measures protect against unauthorized access, tampering, and data breaches.

Conclusion

The OCPP 1.6 protocol plays a crucial role in establishing interoperability and standardization within the EV charging industry. Its adoption enables seamless integration and efficient management of charging infrastructure, benefiting EV drivers, charging station operators, and software providers. With its technical features and emphasis on security, OCPP 1.6 serves as a future-proof and reliable solution for the evolving needs of the electric vehicle ecosystem.