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OCPP 2.1 Testing

Explore OCPP 2.1 enhancements including bidirectional power transfer (V2G/V2X), DER integration, dynamic tariffs, BatterySwap, and automated grid reserve signaling.

What is OCPP 2.1 testing?

OCPP 2.1 testing addresses the forward-looking specification published by the Open Charge Alliance (OCA). It expands beyond OCPP 2.0.1 with bidirectional charging (ISO 15118-20 V2G/V2X, controlled through operationMode and setpoints in charging schedules), local tariffs that the CSMS sends with SetDefaultTariff and ChangeTransactionTariff (functional block I, Tariff and Cost), Distributed Energy Resource (DER) control, Automated Frequency Restoration Reserve (AFRR) support, and battery swap station management.

Last reviewed

Supported modules and flows

  • Bidirectional power transfer and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G / V2X) ISO 15118-20 message sequences.
  • Local tariffs with SetDefaultTariff and ChangeTransactionTariff, plus running cost in TransactionEvent costDetails.
  • Distributed Energy Resource (DER) integration and grid frequency regulation (AFRR).
  • Battery swap station workflows (BatterySwap) and extended charging profile schedules.

Best for

  • Engineering teams planning architecture migrations from OCPP 2.0.1 to OCPP 2.1.
  • Energy aggregators and utility platforms building V2G, V2X, and grid-responsive charging services.
  • Hardware and CSMS vendors validating forward-looking schema conformance against OCA 2.1 specifications.

Example OCPP 2.1 dynamic tariff & V2G flow

The CSMS sets a default tariff, changes the tariff of a running transaction, then asks the EV to discharge with a TxProfile whose schedule period uses operationMode CentralSetpoint and a negative setpoint.

Charge point -> CSMS: BootNotificationRequest {reason: PowerUp, chargingStation: {vendorName, model}}
CSMS -> Charge point: BootNotificationResponse {status: Accepted}

CSMS -> Charge point: SetDefaultTariffRequest {evseId: 1, tariff: {tariffId: "T-DYN-1", currency: "EUR", energy: {prices: [{priceKwh: 0.32}]}}}
Charge point -> CSMS: SetDefaultTariffResponse {status: Accepted}

Charge point -> CSMS: TransactionEventRequest {eventType: Started, triggerReason: CablePluggedIn, seqNo: 0, timestamp,
                                               transactionInfo: {transactionId: "tx-21", chargingState: EVConnected}}
CSMS -> Charge point: TransactionEventResponse

CSMS -> Charge point: ChangeTransactionTariffRequest {transactionId: "tx-21", tariff: {tariffId: "T-PEAK-2", currency: "EUR", energy: {prices: [{priceKwh: 0.45}]}}}
Charge point -> CSMS: ChangeTransactionTariffResponse {status: Accepted}

CSMS -> Charge point: SetChargingProfileRequest {evseId: 1, chargingProfile: {chargingProfilePurpose: TxProfile, transactionId: "tx-21",
                      chargingSchedule: [{chargingRateUnit: W, chargingSchedulePeriod: [{startPeriod: 0, operationMode: CentralSetpoint, setpoint: -7000}]}]}}
Charge point -> CSMS: SetChargingProfileResponse {status: Accepted}

Charge point -> CSMS: TransactionEventRequest {eventType: Updated, triggerReason: OperationModeChanged, seqNo: 1, timestamp,
                                               transactionInfo: {transactionId: "tx-21", chargingState: Charging, operationMode: CentralSetpoint},
                                               meterValue: [{timestamp, sampledValue: [{measurand: Energy.Active.Export.Register, value: 400}]}]}
CSMS -> Charge point: TransactionEventResponse

OCPP 2.1 coverage in the workspace

OCPP 2.1 adds V2G, dynamic tariffs, DER, AFRR, and BatterySwap. The workspace covers those message sequences with schema checks and virtual chargers.

  • Bidirectional V2G & V2X

    Coverage
    Charging schedule periods with operationMode, setpoint, and dischargeLimit
    Typical validation
    Validate discharge setpoints and the OperationModeChanged TransactionEvent that follows.

  • Dynamic Tariffs & Cost Calculation

    Coverage
    SetDefaultTariff, ChangeTransactionTariff, GetTariffs, and ClearTariffs
    Typical validation
    Verify tariff acceptance, TariffChanged events, and costDetails during active sessions.

  • DER & Grid Support

    Coverage
    SetDERControl, AFRRSignal, and BatterySwap message sequences
    Typical validation
    Check that the CSMS sends the right DER and AFRR requests and handles the responses.

What to test

  • V2G and V2X bidirectional power flow message sequencing.
  • Tariff and Cost (functional block I): local tariffs and session cost reporting.
  • DER control and AFRR grid reserve response behavior.
  • Forward-looking OCPP 2.1 JSON schema validation.

Common scenarios

V2G & grid stabilization

Simulate electric vehicles injecting stored battery power back into commercial microgrids during peak tariff hours.

Dynamic pricing verification

Validate that the CSMS accurately pushes dynamic price tables and verifies driver display cost computations.

Specification migration readiness

Audit existing 2.0.1 data models and identify field delta requirements before deploying 2.1 firmware.

Related resources

Related resources

Explore OCPP 2.1 workflows for V2G and DER charging

Model bidirectional V2G flows, dynamic tariffs, and prepare your CSMS architecture for the next era of EV charging.

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