What is V2G ?
V2G means that electric vehicles with bi-directional charging capabilities can act as storage units for grid power and also transmit power back to the grid. In short, when connected to a charging unit, a car can be used as a mobile power source to provide electricity to the grid during peak hours, or it can be sold to balance sustainable energy needs.
This is in contrast to V2H (vehicle to home) and V2L (vehicle to load), which focus on powering homes and powering tools, e-bikes and appliances, respectively. Both provide back-up power directly to the home, rather than feeding excess power back into the grid. Regarding V2L, it is a relatively simple technology that is already being realized.
While there are many Vehicle to X technologies out there, V2G stands out for its ability to deliver clean energy at scale.
Benefits of V2G
In addition to helping to meet the growing demand for electricity (while also reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy sources), V2G technology has several powerful benefits.
For utilities, V2G offers an economical way to meet soaring energy demand while also making better use of renewable energy sources. This means that citizens have access to cheaper, more reliable electric service.
What’s more, V2G also subsidizes the cost of owning an electric vehicle. By selling power back to the grid, EV owners can both contribute to the green energy infrastructure transition and utilize their cars for revenue.
Of course, changing the energy infrastructure can’t happen overnight. Vehicle-to-grid technology is still in the early stages of development, and charging stations will need to be prepared with the software to communicate with a centralized grid so that they can readily measure demand across the system.