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Electric vehicles and related technologies are creating a buzz in the automotive market. All eyes are on the trends and innovation happening in EVs, and one such thing which is gaining traction is Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology. It seems to be strange, but you read it correctly – it’s V2G.
V2G is a new technology in the EV market space and can transform EV technology the other way around. This game-changing technology in EV marketspace ensures the utilization of excess power stored in EV batteries and pushes it back to the power grid. On the one hand, where V2G helps in reducing the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles, on the other hand, it optimizes EV charging and creates a positive impact on the environment by supporting renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind.
Why is V2G Needed?
The idea behind V2G technology is very simple. It helps in transforming electric vehicles into energy suppliers. V2G technology uses a bidirectional charger to transfer the energy stored in the batteries of electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles to the power grid. This energy from batteries can be used to power a home or a local grid using special charging docks.
Benefits of Vehicle to Grid (V2G)
The benefits of the Vehicle to grid concept can be explained just as a technology that helps in regulating the energy on the grid via bridging the gap between Electric Vehicle energy storage systems and renewable energy sources. Let’s discuss the same with an example:
V2 G technology converts electric vehicles into mobile energy hubs. Vehicle to Grid technology enables electric Vehicles to store electricity in their batteries and supply it to power grids when required.
Imagine a home or workplace which is powered by solar energy. In the daytime, energy supplied by solar panels can be used to power home or office and simultaneously charges electric vehicle. But, when the electricity can not be produced by solar panels installed in the home or office, the electric power can be supplied back to the grid from the electric vehicles, and that energy can be supplied to the homes or offices. For supporting the power infrastructure, EV owners can earn monetary incentives for supplying energy to the grid during peak times. During off-peak times at night, batteries of the electric vehicles can be recharged from the low-cost energy supplied by the grid. Vehicle-to-grid technology brings cleaner power, lower energy costs, and greater stability.
- Vehicle to Grid technology easily helps in integrating renewable energy systems and supports in balancing the energy in power grids. It reduces the energy infrastructure to be fully dependent on fossil fuel power plants.
- The monetary benefits of availing the Vehicle to Grid technology encourage electric vehicle owners to make their vehicles available for power infrastructure as it helps reduce the total cost of ownership of an electric vehicle.
V2G for Fleet Solutions
Vehicle to Grid concept and its applications must be accepted by fleet vehicles, as they have regular and predictable electric vehicles. Vehicle to Grid applications in fleet management companies can be a success because of the associated monetary benefits. These fleet companies can very well leverage V2G applications as EVs owned by fleet companies return back to their bases at a time, and with proper V2G infrastructure in place, can transfer their power back to the grid and earn money for their company. This business model can reduce the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles and propel their adoption.
Bi-Directional Charging and V2G
Bidirectional charging in electric vehicles is synonymous with the vehicle to Grid and Grid to vehicle charging. It allows electric energy to flow both ways, in and out of the vehicle. Power flows two ways, unlike unidirectional EV chargers (Grid to Vehicle). Vehicle-to-grid is just one phase of bidirectional charging, where the preliminary action is Grid to vehicle energy transfer.
When an electric vehicle is charged from a grid, the AC electricity is converted into DC using either car’s own converter or converter with the EV charger. When the car is connected to the grid to supply power back to the grid, DC power has to be converted into AC electricity. A bidirectional charger carries out this sort of power transmission. Vehicle to Grid technology and application is only feasible using bidirectional chargers.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles are the future of the automotive industry, and the pace by which they are making their space on our roads, the power infrastructure must be enriched with better connectivity with public and private vehicle charging infrastructure and power grids.
Electronic vehicles and Vehicle to grid technology will play a significant role in supporting this disruptive technological advancement, especially in locations where electric power systems are highly unstable. The entire energy ecosystem will need a complete transformation in the coming future, and the adoption of V2G can make the electricity system more self-reliant.