«V2G = Vehicle to Grid» describes the backfeeding of electricity by electric cars into the grid which opens-up new opportunities for energy suppliers and requires an intelligent system for load management.
Charging e-cars at public or private stations is standard today. However, backfeeding is only possible in pilot plants, so the electricity not consumed by driving remains in the battery. Only with the possibility of feeding electricity back into the grid will it be possible to exploit the full potential of batteries in the future.
From direct current to alternating current: How does it work?
The power grid supplies alternating current, which is converted to direct current used to charge e-cars. In order to feed electricity back into the grid, the opposite must take place. In bidirectional chargers, appropriate converters are built in to ensure the current can flow in both directions.
V2G for improved load management
On average, cars are not used for 23 hours a day. Which is more than enough time, to charge electric cars with grid power or surplus solar power and feed it back when needed.
The greater the number of e-cars interacting in the utility’s distribution grid, the greater the benefit to secure energy supply. Fluctuations due to irregularly feeding plants (solar/wind) as well as bottlenecks at peak times can be cushioned with a swarm of vehicle batteries and intelligent load management.
A flexible tariff system for energy and grid usage can be used to create financial incentives. Meaning the demand in the grid sets the price, and the charging and discharging of the batteries of e-cars follows at the right time in each case.
In addition "vehicle to home" (V2H), the backfeeding of electricity from e-cars into the home network, can help to optimize the load management of the energy supplier.