Vehicle To Grid

Vehicle to grid (V2G) allows electricity to flow in two directions between an electric car battery and the electricity grid. This helps balance the grid and the car can supply electricity to the grid in periods of high demand and charge in periods of low demand. This reduces the risk of power outages and it also offers drivers the ability to sell any excess energy back to the grid at a profit.

The adoption of renewable energy such as wind and solar power is key to a greener future. However, renewables can be unpredictable, with supply fluctuating depending on weather conditions, but energy storage systems such as car batteries could help maintain the availability of energy to avoid power cuts.  It also ensures that during these periods car batteries can be used, rather than having to use coal or gas fired power stations to meet this demand.  This provides huge environmental benefits and would also be able to react to changes in demand faster.

Electric vehicles could play a crucial part in this balancing of demand and supply on the grid. The electric car can manage the flow of energy independently using smart technology and in turn this can earn you money.

When a V2G-capable charger is plugged into a compatible EV, electricity can flow in two different directions. This is also referred to as a bi-directional flow of energy.

For example, an EV could feed energy into the grid during the daytime when there’s more demand and charge overnight when most people are asleep, using little to no energy.

Ideally, the battery only discharges energy when it isn’t needed, so when the car will be stationary for some time. It should then automatically recharge when there’s less demand on the grid, in time for when you need to drive.

In the future it may also be possible to power your home using your cars battery in an island mode to avoid flow going back into the grid.

Drawbacks to V2G systems are that they will make chargers more expensive. These costs could outweigh the financial benefits to the consumer.  The other issue is that only the CHAdeMO DC connector is capable of V2G, which is not typically available for home chargers in the UK and most new electric cars now use CCS chargers as it allows for much faster charging when you are topping up your battery away from home.  It is also currently unclear whether V2G use would increase the rate of battery degradation on your cars battery, which could put people off using the technology.

Using high-powered devices such as your washing machine, dryer, or charging your EV at night will provide similar savings, with no significant implementation costs. This only works if you’re on a flexible energy tariff, which prices electricity based on demand.

Alternatively, you could install a fixed battery at the home which will provide the same benefits as a V2G system.