Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is a technology that transforms electric cars into useful “actors” for the stability of the electric system, enabling them to draw and return energy to the grid. Let’s find out how it works and the benefits to the user and the environment.
What is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)?
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is an innovative technology that may lead to a revolution in the electric car industry. It is, in fact, a system that allows electric cars not only to take energy from the grid, but also to return it when needed to stabilize the entire system. This means that your electric car will no longer be just a vehicle, but can become a dynamic “actor” for the power grid.
How does V2G work?
V2G works through two-way communication between the vehicle and the power grid. During charging, the car stores energy drawn from the power grid in the battery pack. When the grid needs additional energy, the car can return some of this energy, thus helping to stabilize energy demand and contributing to the balance of the power grid.
Who can use V2G?
Toady, the deployment of V2G technology is still under development, and in order to use it electric cars must be compatible with the technology. Many major electric car manufacturers have already made the feature available on their electric vehicles, so some vehicles are already V2G-ready, while others may require an upgrade.
It is important to keep in mind that, to date, both the adoption of electric vehicles with V2G capability and the supporting infrastructure and regulation are still evolving. However, the opportunities and benefits that this technology will provide, when it becomes available and widely adopted, are significant.
It would indeed enable EV owners to use their vehicles’ batteries to store excess energy when it is not needed, reducing energy waste and helping to balance the power grid. This could lead to greater energy system efficiency and lower costs for consumers.
What advantages can V2G offer?
One of the main benefits of V2G is the ability to offer and feed energy to the grid when needed. This is done by storing energy and releasing it when needed on a Smart Grid, which is a smart power grid that uses technology to monitor and regulate the distribution of electricity in real time.
This will be able to optimize energy demand by taking it when it is needed, improving the reliability and management of the power grid. The benefits may also directly affect end consumers, as e-drivers will be able to be remunerated based on the time and amount of energy released, as is already the case, for example, for residential users who produce renewable energy (e.g., through photovoltaic panels) and feed it into the grid.
This technology promises more sustainable and affordable electric mobility for all. With further technological developments, appropriate regulation, and wider adoption, we could see a transformation in energy management and new development prospects for sustainable mobility.
Vehicle to Grid: dream or reality? The trial in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Trials of V2G technology have already started in various countries. Among the most recent, the Dutch city of Utrecht is conducting a collaborative experiment between We Drive Solar, Hyundai, Renault and MyWheels to develop two-way clean energy charging.
By connecting 300 of MyWheels’ cars to the grid, the city could have access to a large amount of energy, potentially useful for supporting the local electricity grid. This would make Utrecht the world’s first “two-way city.”