As more people switch to electricity to power their appliances, cars, and other devices, the demand for electricity rises. In some areas, that demand leads to a congested electrical grid, as an International Energy Agency (IEA) article points out.
Grid-enhancing solutions, such as reconductoring, uprating voltage levels, dynamic line rating, and advanced network operation protocols, can help increase the grid’s capacity. However, can such solutions have a sufficient impact to balance the grid for widespread EV adoption?
While increased EV usage can increase the strain on the grid, it can also contribute to the cure. Discover four ways that EVs can help reduce grid congestion.
1. Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Charging
An emerging technology called bidirectional charging enables EV batteries to send electricity back into the grid. This process, vehicle-grid integration (VGI), represents a breakthrough in solving the problem of grid congestion.
Although not all EVs or all EV chargers can take advantage of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, those that do will soon become consumer favorites for their ability to strengthen their local grids.
Ford F-150 Lightning
In the United States, the Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck can help its owners feed power back into the grid. However, its proprietary Ford Charge Station Pro bidirectional charger is only compatible with Ford electric vehicles, as a Bidirectional Energy article reports. This charging station is only compatible with Ford electric vehicles. But it is well worth the investment, especially if prospective owners live in an area with frequent grid outages. Even better, owners can earn money by feeding power into the grid.
Kia EV9
Paired with the Wallbox Quasar 2 bidirectional charger, the Kia EV9 is also capable of feeding energy back into the grid. Unlike the Ford charger, the Quasar 2 is interoperable with EVs other than Kia models, allowing both guests and owners to charge their cars.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf introduced bidirectional charging to the world in 2013. Its charger, the Fermata FE-20, works only in commercial establishments. It is not yet available for home charging. However, it is an excellent choice for car-sharing companies, taxi services, delivery services, or other businesses that want to electrify their fleets.
Chevrolet Silverado EV RST and Other GM EVs
Like Ford’s charging system, the GM charger and GM Energy system only work with specific models of GM EVs. However, GM added an impressive lineup of vehicles to its V2G-enabled line, according to the Bidirectional Charging piece cited earlier.
Some models might require software updates to use their bidirectional capability, the article reports. In addition to the Silverado EV, these models include:
- Chevrolet Blazer EV
- Chevrolet Equinox EV
- Cadillac Lyriq
- GMC Sierra EV Denali
- Chevrolet Silverado EV WT
V2G Charging Outside of the United States
Australia and China both have a wide range of EVs capable of bidirectional charging. Many European countries, too, are well ahead of the US in introducing V2G-capable EV models to the market.
However, many of the automakers in these countries also have a US presence. As interest in V2G charging grows among American EV owners, it’s likely that these manufacturers will bring some of their V2G-capable models into the US.
2. Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Business (V2B) Charging
Another way EVs can help reduce grid congestion is through vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging. During peak usage hours — and definitely during grid outages — EV drivers can use their cars’ batteries to transfer energy into their home’s electrical system.
V2H Advantages
As a Driivz post advises, drivers can take advantage of lower electricity rates by charging their cars during off-peak hours. Then, they can tap their cars’ batteries during peak usage hours to save money on their own utility bills. Not only do they save money, but they also help lessen the load on the grid during peak demand times.
V2B Advantages
Businesses, too, can help lighten the grid’s load by using their owners’ EVs or EV fleet vehicles to power their buildings during high-demand times. They can also take advantage of off-peak hours to charge their vehicles and save money on charging rates with vehicle-to-business (V2B) charging.
V2H- and V2B-Capable US EV Models
Both the Ford Lightning and the Kia EV9 are capable of charging homes and business buildings. The GM bidirectional lineup has that capability, too.
The bidirectional Tesla Cybertruck can power a home with its proprietary Tesla Powershare, but it cannot connect to the grid. While it can serve as a standalone power source for off-grid applications or during power outages, it cannot provide owners with V2G capabilities.
Nissan has not equipped its American Leaf models with that capability. Its Japanese Leaf cars, however, can charge both homes and businesses as well as feed energy back into the grid. If V2H and V2B charging becomes more popular in the United States, it’s likely that the Japanese carmaker will equip some of the Leaf models it exports to the US with that capability.
Equipment Needed for V2H and V2B Charging
In addition to a bidirectional charging-capable car, homeowners will need a home charger that can convert the car’s DC power to the home’s or business’s AC electrical system. As the Driivz piece points out, these chargers are expensive now, but they should become more affordable as V2H and V2G charging grows in popularity.
Secondly, owners will need a communications link that connects the vehicle, the charger, and the charging management platform. The link must use the ISO 15118 and OCPP0.1 protocols to operate.
People who want to use their EVs and chargers to save money and help reduce grid congestion also need an energy metering system capable of handling the energy transfer process. In addition, they need a device to disconnect their home’s or business’s breaker panel from the grid while powering their building with the EV.
This process, called “islanding,” requires a device that can detect islanding and grid outages. During an islanding situation in which the grid is down, the device stops sending power into the grid, protecting utility employees from handling live wires.
Finally, V2H and V2B charging requires owners to connect their building’s energy panel to the bidirectional charger. This installation requires a licensed electrician to assure safety and adhere to building codes.
3. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Charging
While V2L-enabled EVs cannot power an entire home or business, they can help reduce grid congestion by shifting at least part of the grid’s load onto the EV’s battery to power some appliances and other devices. Unlike V2H and V2G charging, V2L charging does not require a bidirectional charger.
Instead, V2L-equipped cars feature an electrical outlet. Owners can plug in an extension cord into the outlet to use the EV’s battery as an alternate power source.
All the V2G- and V2H-capable EVs also support V2L charging. Other EVs with V2L capabilities include the following:
- Genesis GV60
- Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Hyundai Ioniq 7
- Kia EV6
- Rivian R1S
- Rivian R1T
- Stellantis Ram 1500 REV
Some EV automakers plan to introduce V2G capability in three other models soon. People planning to purchase a V2G-capable vehicle in the near future should keep their eyes on the models listed below:
- Cadillac Escalade IQ
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Lucid Air paired with the Lucid Connected Home Charging Station
4. Plugging Heavy-Duty Fleet EVs into the Grid
Certainly, passenger EVs will play a crucial role in strengthening the grid by becoming “batteries on wheels,” as a recent Driivz paper put it. But how about fleet charging? As the paper rightly points out, the risk of grid congestion rises as more newly electrified heavy-duty fleet vehicles take to the roads.
As these massive EVs gain in popularity, the amount of electricity they will need to consume could tax the system. And gain in popularity they will. The cost savings on fuel and maintenance make them the logical choice for transportation and logistics companies nationwide.
Indeed, these vehicles’ batteries can also serve as power sources to strengthen the grid. Even when their batteries wear out, they still can produce enough power en masse to fortify the grid and even charge other vehicles.
Applying smart charging principles is another key component of integrating these larger EVs into the fleet vehicle mainstream. In smart charging, drivers charge vehicles during off-peak hours and feed energy back into the grid when overall usage is high. Using renewable energy sources when plentiful and storing their energy in large batteries for future use will also be critical for electrifying large fleets.
Finally, using grid-enhancing solutions can boost the grid’s capacity to charge even large fleet vehicles, as the IEA paper cited earlier recommends. Grid-enhancing solutions employ technologies that “increase the capacity to transfer electrons faster than new lines.” Then, those vehicles can serve as valuable power sources for the grid itself during peak usage hours.
Learn More About EVs’ Role in Strengthening the Grid at the EV Charging Summit
Are you wondering about how EVs can play a role in creating a robust grid that can serve the nation’s growing demand? There’s only one place where you can learn all about the emerging technologies that will shape the charging industry’s future. That’s the EV Charging Summit, where the industry’s finest minds meet to share their expertise with a growing number of EV charging professionals.
Don’t miss the next event. Register for your spot today!
