Is Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology the future of power and energy? This could mean that power for homes and businesses is always available.
Why do some areas of the country experience brownouts or blackouts? Why do some energy companies suggest users limit their usage during specific hours of the day? Typically, this happens because the load on the electric grid is much greater during peak hours, typically from 3-9 pm, than at other times of the day. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a power bank that energy companies could utilize? There is, but its not what you might expect.
What is Vehicle-to-Grid Technology?
The rise of electric vehicles means a greater draw of energy than ever before. In order for EVs to be successful, they must recharge, and much of this occurs at home. This increased consumption of energy has become a secondary benefit for energy companies. EV batteries not only draw electricity for recharging, but they also store this energy, which is something most electric companies don’t do. This means EVs could be the source of energy to supply necessary backup power for the electric grid.
How can V2G benefit the general public?
Stored electric energy can aid the power grid and send power back to the grid when needed. This energy can help many consumers by:
Lowering energy costs
Ev owners can offset their charging costs by selling surplus energy back to the grid during peak hours. It seems like a bit of a wash with the energy company charging for the power initially and then buying some of it back, which it is, but that also means lower costs to the consumer.
Improved grid reliability
If enough EV owners sell their excess electric energy back to the grid through vehicle-to-grid technology, the grid might not be in danger of overload at any point. Renewable energy sources can also be used to generate more energy, but currently, the only energy stores available are the electric vehicle batteries that many homeowners have charging in their garages. The V2G tech can help stabilize the grid by acting as a buffer when required.
Increases use of renewable energy
Fossil fuels will only last so long and aren’t renewable. Electricity is one of the most renewable energies in the world, and it can be produced using various methods. This energy can be created by using running water, blowing wind, burning coal, and through other methods in which electricity can be harnessed as energy. The renewable nature of electricity helps move the world toward a greener and more eco-friendly environment, which helps the planet heal from the damage that’s already been inflicted upon it.
Emergency power supply
The vehicle-to-grid technology available can help EVs act as backup power sources for households during outages. This means your EV could power your house for several days if the power goes out during a natural disaster. This could be a huge part of your comfort at home during an outage. Your EV can power your home for a few days, depending on the battery size, but it will eventually run out of electrical energy during an extended outage. Still, this is a great option for some short-term outages.
Can V2G help businesses and governments?
Harnessing vehicle-to-grid technology to optimize energy use can reduce costs and allow businesses and governments to reach their sustainability targets. This technology can provide:
Cost savings
Businesses that operate large electric vehicle fleets can gain significantly using V2G technology. The stored electricity can be sold back to the grid during peak hours which should allow the company to reduce energy costs and increase operational efficiency.
Power grid stability
Using V2G technology, governments can modernize their energy infrastructure and show grid resilience by balancing the supply and demand for energy. With enough available EVs to draw from during peak hours, energy companies can ensure a constantly reliable electrical grid for all consumers.
Renewable energy expansion
Increasing renewable energy targets can directly move through the vehicle-to-grid technology to store and redistribute excess renewable energy. This reduces the need for added expensive grid infrastructure upgrades and allows consumers to accelerate the adoption of cleaner energy while ensuring governments and businesses can adopt cleaner energy sources.
Advancing sustainability goals
More businesses and governments are increasingly focusing on achieving carbon neutrality than ever before. Adopting V2G technology allows lowered reliance on fossil fuels to minimize the carbon footprints of governments and businesses.
Vehicle-to-grid technology can be the bridge that most energy companies need to ensure more reliable electrical supplies are available to customers, and this tech offers several benefits to consumers, businesses, and governments.
