Electric Nation has installed the first of 100 chargers as part of its vehicle to grid (V2G) trial. This will demonstrate how V2G technology can provide a solution to potential electricity network capacity issues as we move towards wider scale adoption of electric vehicles.
The trial is recruiting Nissan EV owners in the Western Power Distribution (WPD) areas of the Midlands, South West, and South Wales to take part. Only Nissan EVs are eligible for this smart charging trial thanks to their CHAdeMO technology.
What is V2G?
V2G technology enables energy to be sent back to the electricity grid from an electric car’s battery. The technology monitors power demand to charge a vehicle when there’s a surplus of energy or to send it back to the grid when it’s most needed — at peak times, for example. This creates a smart charging infrastructure that protects the grid and makes sure power is distributed where it’s most useful.
About the V2G trial
This is the first V2G trial using multiple energy suppliers, which is an important step in showing how this technology might work nationwide. Electric Nation’s first trial captured more than two million hours of car charging data. This provided a real-life insight into people’s charging habits but the new trial will give a more realistic simulation of the future.
During the one-year trial, each energy supplier will use the V2G chargers to test their various energy services. This will include using the EVs put power back into the electricity grid when required, and charging the EVs during periods of excess electricity supply.
All the suppliers will use CrowdCharge’s demand management charger platform, which optimises each charging session to make sure the vehicle is charged at the cheapest rate and ready when needed.
Rasita Chudasama is the first participant of the trial to have a charger installed. She says: “I’m delighted to be part of the Electric Nation Vehicle to Grid project and to play a role in trialling this exciting new technology. By reducing the potential impact of EV charging on electricity networks, V2G should support the rapid uptake of electric vehicles, which will help us to improve local air quality and combat climate change. I’m looking forward to seeing how V2G works from an EV driver’s point of view.”
Interested Nissan EV owners, who live in the WPD area, can apply for the trial here.
