Can you use an electric vehicle battery to power your home?
Soon, you will be able to power your home with your electric vehicle's battery.
South Australia is leading the way in vehicle to grid (V2G) technology for electric vehicles (EVs) with SA Power Networks the first electricity distributor in Australia to allow network connection of a V2G charger.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining popularity in recent years due to the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable transportation options. The shift towards EVs is driven by several factors, including the increasing awareness of the negative impacts of fossil fuels on the environment and the desire to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, technological advancements have made EVs more affordable, practical and convenient to own.
What is V2G?
Vehicle to grid, or V2G, technology is another exciting development that will be used to maximise the potential benefits of EVs. It will allow EV owners to use the excess energy stored in the EV battery to power homes and buildings when the car is not being used, reducing the need for grid energy and can even provide a source of income for EV owners. This technology works by sending the excess energy stored in the EV battery back to the electrical grid, which can then be used by other customers.
Customers with a compatible vehicle and charger can charge during the day from their own solar or by using cheaper daytime energy from the grid, and then export some of that energy back to their home or the grid to offset usage at peak times.
Benefits of V2G
There are many benefits of V2G technology, for example, they help to:
- Reduce the demand on the electrical grid during periods of peak usage, which helps to reduce the risk of blackouts and brownouts.
- Reduce the costs of energy for EV owners by allowing them to use their excess energy to power their homes, and then recharging from cheap daytime energy.
- Reduce the overall carbon footprint of the electrical grid by reducing the need for energy from fossil-fuel powered generators.
The availability of new and improved EV models and reduction in the upfront cost, is resulting in an increased uptake and popularity of EVs and is helping to drive the development of new and improved V2G technology.
SA leading the way in V2G capability
The shift towards EVs and enabling vehicle to grid technology is an important step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
In December 2022, SA Power Networks became the first electricity distributor in Australia to allow network connection of a V2G charger. The technology that makes V2G possible is a bi-directional inverter which is planned to be available in SA in early 2023.
While this V2G equipment is expensive now, the price will come down as sales of EVs and chargers grow, with EV sales in Australia forecast to reach half of all new cars sold by 2035.
V2G technology will help to reduce the demand on the electrical grid, reduce energy costs, and reduce the overall carbon footprint.