Can electric cars power our homes?
The power of EVs: the promise of vehicle-to-grid technology
At This is Electric, we’re excited about innovative technologies that enhance energy resilience and sustainability.
An exciting development is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which transforms electric vehicles (EVs) into "batteries on wheels" for our homes.
With recent regulatory changes, V2G is set to revolutionize how we think about energy, offering the potential to save on energy bills and even earn money by exporting energy back to the grid.
What is vehicle-to-grid (V2G)?
V2G is a technology that allows EVs to return stored energy from their batteries to the grid.
V2G essentially gives EV owners a cheap, very large home battery.
Imagine using your EV, not just for transportation but also as a power source for your home and community.
Adelaide resident Jai Nankivell is already doing this with his Nissan Leaf and Wallbox Qasar 1 V2G charger. By capturing excess energy from his solar panels during the day and exporting it to the grid in the evening, Jai can power his home and earn money.
Jai’s setup demonstrates the enormous potential of V2G technology, with his EV battery significantly larger than a typical home battery.
Read the ABC article about Jai’s set up here.
The path to widespread V2G adoption
While V2G has cleared a major regulatory hurdle, with the updated national technical standard AS4777, challenges remain.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) certifies chargers, necessary for safe and broad adoption, although we are awaiting official certification for V2G models.
Industry experts predict V2G chargers will be more widely available by mid-2025.
Benefits of V2G technology
Energy Savings: By leveraging V2G, EV owners can potentially save up to $2,000 a year on energy bills. The technology allows households to use stored solar energy when grid energy prices peak, resulting in significant cost savings.
Income Generation: There’s potential to earn by exporting energy back to the grid when energy prices are high. Estimates suggest that under optimal conditions, EV owners could earn significant income, enhancing household economy and energy independence.
Grid Stability: By integrating V2G into the energy network, electric vehicles can help balance supply and demand, providing a dynamic, responsive energy storage solution.
Sustainability: V2G contributes to a reduction in fossil fuel dependence by increasing the utility of renewable energy sources, aligning with efforts to combat climate change.
Overcoming challenges
The transition to widespread V2G usage is not without its challenges.
The complexity of electrical grids and the need for careful management of demand and supply mean that integrating this technology thoughtfully is very important.
Additionally, not all EVs currently support V2G, as it requires the CCS2 standard, which many vehicles lack.
However, as technology evolves and more EVs become compatible with V2G, we anticipate broader adoption.
The future of V2G in Tasmania
Looking forward, V2G is poised to play an essential role in enhancing energy resilience and sustainability.
At This is Electric, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of these innovations, ensuring our clients are equipped to harness the full potential of their EVs to support their homes and communities.
Phil and Sarah, founders of This is Electric
We encourage Tasmanian EV owners to explore the possibilities of V2G, stay informed about upcoming developments, and consider how this technology could fit into their home system.
Together, we can pave the way for a future where every vehicle contributes to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid.
Join us at This is Electric in embracing the future of sustainable energy solutions.
For more information on how you can benefit from V2G technology or to discuss your clean energy needs, get in touch with our team today.
Sign up to our little newsletter here and we will make sure you are kept up to date with developments.