Imagine a world where a car doesn’t just get you from A to B, but also powers your home or workplace and supports a cleaner energy grid. You buy a car and you get a mobile power plant thrown in, which can power your property and/or the electricity grid. This is the promise of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, and it’s closer than you might think!
Turning EVs into Mobile Batteries
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They’re cleaner, quieter, can accelerate faster, and are more efficient than traditional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. But did you know that your EV could also be a powerful tool in Australia’s Renewable Energy Revolution and Decarbonisation efforts?
With V2G technology, EVs can essentially become “batteries on wheels“, storing excess renewable energy generated from sources like solar and wind power. This stored energy can then be used to provide electricity to a home, work premises, community energy project, or even exported back to the electricity grid during peak demand periods.
What is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)?
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology turns EVs into more than just a mode of transport – it transforms it into a dynamic energy storage system. Essentially, it allows the electricity stored in an EV’s battery to flow both ways: in and out.
Here’s how it works:
- Bidirectional Charging: V2G requires a special type of charger, known as a bidirectional charger. Unlike standard EV chargers that only allow electricity to flow into the car, bidirectional chargers enable the flow of electricity in both directions.
- Grid Communication: V2G systems communicate with the electricity grid to determine when energy is needed most. This allows your EV to intelligently charge when demand is low (and electricity is often cheaper) and discharge when demand is high (and electricity is more expensive).
- Smart Management: Sophisticated software manages the charging and discharging process, ensuring the EV has enough charge for your driving needs while also maximising the benefits of V2G.
The Benefits of V2G
V2G technology offers a range of benefits for individuals, organisations and the environment:
- Reduced energy bills: By using EVs to store and later discharge energy to your property, you can reduce reliance on the grid and potentially save money on power bills.
- Increased grid stability: V2G can help to stabilise the electricity grid by providing a source of flexible energy storage, reducing the risk of blackouts and brownouts.
- Support for renewable energy: By enabling greater integration of renewable energy sources, V2G can help to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future.
- Reduced emissions: By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, V2G can help to lower greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate emergency.
- A potential source of income: You may be able to sell energy stored in your EV battery by supplying the electricity grid during times of peak demand, when wholesale electricity prices are at their highest.
Technical Details:
- Communication Protocols: V2G systems use communication protocols like ISO 15118 to enable secure and reliable communication between the EV, the charging station, and the electricity grid.
- Grid Integration: V2G technology integrates with the electricity grid, allowing grid operators to leverage the collective storage capacity of EVs to help balance supply and demand, improve grid stability, and increase the integration of renewable energy sources.
- Battery Management: Advanced battery management systems (BMS) are crucial for V2G. They monitor the battery’s state of health, ensuring that the charging and discharging cycles do not negatively impact the battery’s lifespan.
Learn more in Solar Batteries: Why, When & How To Use Them
Overcoming the Hurdles
While the concept of V2G is simple, its implementation has faced some challenges. Thankfully, recent progress on key regulatory hurdles has paved the way for wider adoption of this exciting technology.
Standards Australia has recently approved a new standard for bidirectional chargers, which are essential for V2G technology. This standard will ensure the safety and reliability of V2G systems, giving confidence to EV owners, grid operators, and charger manufacturers.
What’s Next?
While there’s still work to be done, the future of V2G in Australia is looking bright. With continued investment and support, V2G has the potential to revolutionise the way we use and store energy, helping to create a more sustainable and resilient energy system for all.
Want to learn more about V2G and how you can get involved?
Stay tuned for updates and further information on this and other Emerging Electric Vehicle Types, Technologies & Innovations.
Electric Vehicles Funding For Non-Profit, Community Organisations & Social Enterprises
Here at CORENA we receive, record, and transparently report voluntary contributions from the public. We use that money to give interest-free loans to fund:
- Electric Vehicles
- Solar Panels
- Energy Efficiency
- Getting Off Gas – Replacement of fossil gas appliances with electric alternatives
- A combination of the above
You don’t pay any interest on your CORENA loan, and the quarterly loan repayments are set to be a little less than the savings on your operating costs averaged over a year. This means you are never out of pocket while repaying your loan. However, after your loan is fully repaid you reap the full financial benefit of having lower operating costs.
To learn more, check out how to apply for a loan, or register for one of our upcoming Online Q&A Information Sessions.
