There is huge demand for charging piles with V2G function overseas

There is huge demand for charging piles with V2G function overseas

With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, EV batteries have become a valuable resource. Not only can they power vehicles, but they can also feed energy back into the grid, reducing electricity bills and supplying power to buildings or households. Currently, charging stations equipped with V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) functionality, as an innovative technological feature, are seeing growing demand in overseas markets. In this field, forward-thinking enterprises have begun actively positioning themselves to provide electric vehicle users with more convenient and intelligent charging services.

These charging points enable bidirectional communication and energy flow between electric vehicles and the grid. During charging, vehicles can feed surplus electricity back into the grid during peak consumption periods, thereby reducing grid load and enhancing energy utilisation efficiency. The application of this technology not only benefits environmental protection and sustainable development but also brings greater convenience and economic benefits to electric vehicle users. It possesses extensive application scenarios and development potential. Global News Agency reports: Enphase (a global energy technology company and the world’s leading provider of microinverter-based solar and battery systems) has completed its bidirectional electric vehicle charger, enabling Vehicle-to-Household (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality. The product will utilise the IQ8™ microinverter and integrated™ energy management technology to seamlessly integrate into Enphase home energy systems. Furthermore, Enphase’s bidirectional EV charger is expected to be compatible with most electric vehicles supporting standards such as CCS (Combined Charging System) and CHAdeMO (Japanese charging standard).

Raghu Belur, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Enphase, stated: ‘The new bidirectional electric vehicle charger, alongside Enphase’s solar and battery storage systems, can be controlled via the Enphase app, enabling homeowners to generate, use, save and sell their own electricity.’ ‘We are collaborating with standards organisations, electric vehicle manufacturers and regulators to bring this charger to market in 2024.’

Beyond charging electric vehicles, Enphase’s bidirectional charger will support the following functions: Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) – enabling electric vehicle batteries to provide uninterrupted power to homes during outages. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) – enabling EV batteries to share energy with the grid to alleviate pressure on utilities during peak demand periods. Green Charging – delivering clean solar power directly to EV batteries. Dr Mohammad Alkuran, Senior Director of Systems Engineering at Enphase, stated: ‘The Enphase bidirectional EV charger represents the next step in our roadmap towards integrated solar home energy systems, further unlocking electrification, resilience, savings and control for homeowners.’ ‘For homeowners seeking maximum control over energy usage, this product will be a game-changer.’ The collaborative entry into commercialisation by European and American vehicle networks is primarily driven by: innovative business models, support for vehicle-to-charger communication standards, intelligent optimisation software platforms, and mature electricity markets. In terms of business models, an increasing number of international enterprises are accelerating innovation by bundling electric vehicles with smart grid services to enhance economic appeal: Electric vehicle leasing services combined with V2G grid service leasing: UK-based Octopus Electric Vehicles bundles EV leasing with V2G grid services into a package: Customers can lease an EV with a V2G package for £299 per month.

Additionally, if users participate in a fixed number of V2G sessions monthly via a mobile app to provide peak shaving or other grid services, they receive an extra £30 cash rebate each month. Grid operators bear equipment investment costs while capturing vehicle-grid synergy cash flow: A Vermont utility proposes covering Tesla owners’ Powerwall storage and charging station installation costs if they permit grid control over these assets for grid services. The utility recoups upfront investments through peak-valley pricing differentials or power market revenues generated via scheduled charging or V2G operations. The participation of electric vehicles in multiple application scenarios (value stacking) is gaining increasing prominence. Certain V2G pilots, such as the London-based urban delivery firm Gnewt, deploy ten electric vans not only for daily deliveries but also for night-time frequency regulation and daytime peak-valley arbitrage, thereby cumulatively enhancing vehicle-grid synergy revenues. In the near future, V2G is also poised to become an integral part of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Support for vehicle-to-charger communication standards: Most European nations currently employ the CCS standard, which now incorporates support for orderly charging and V2G. Charging points equipped with V2G functionality possess broad application prospects and significant development potential. With ongoing technological advancements and progressive policy support, such charging points are anticipated to achieve wider adoption and promotion in the future.