Audi research project proves the potential of bi-directional charging: What's next?

[ChasingCoral]

From Green Car Reports: https://www.greencarreports.com/new...ential-of-bi-directional-charging-what-s-next

Audi research project proves the potential of bi-directional charging: What's next?

STEPHEN EDELSTEIN JULY 24, 2020 13 COMMENTS

Audi is the latest automaker to experiment with bi-directional charging, which allows electric cars to discharge electricity from their battery packs back into the grid—or to a smart-home energy management system.

Partnering with energy infrastructure company Hager Group, Audi tested a prototype E-Tron Sportback crossover equipped for bi-directional charging, along with a DC wall box capable of charging at up to 12 kilowatts, and a 9.0-kilowatt-hour home energy-storage battery pack.

The setup demonstrates possible future applications of bi-directional charging. Homes with photovoltaic solar arrays can use a car's battery pack to hold excess electricity, which can be used later. The car can also act as an emergency backup power source during blackouts, Audi noted.

In addition to this use case, known as vehicle-to-home (V2H), cars could be used as an extension of the electricity grid. In vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications, fleets of electric cars could potentially help "balance" the grid by absorbing excess energy during periods of low demand, and discharge it during periods of high demand.

However, it's unclear what Audi's future plans even for Europe are beyond this one-off test. Audi of America told Green Car Reportsthat in the U.S. bi-directional charging is a long-term goal, and while the standards aren't yet in place the idea is under consideration and in development.


Audi tests bi-directional charging

Audi executives have previously confirmed that the E-Tron's battery and charging systems were designed for bi-directional capability but standards and home hardware are the bottlenecks.

Manufacturers of charging equipment are also beginning to consider V2H and V2G functionality, however. Wallbox is expected to offer bi-directional charging functionality in the U.S., with its Quasar unit for the Nissan Leaf, before the end of the year.

CHAdeMO was compatible with bi-directional charging from the start. CCS isn't quite there with supporting hardware, although the goal is to have that capability by 2025.

Many studies over the years have shown that while peak/off-peak charging, and smart networked charging, are a start, V2H and V2G could take grid stabilization to a next level. That includes a 2017 study by BMW and California utility Pacific Gas & Electric. Using a fleet of roughly 100 BMW i3 hatchbacks, it showed that electric cars could aid the grid.

 

[SnBGC]

V2G is being explored heavily right now. Simply put, it is increasingly expensive to build new power generating stations so we have to find more efficient ways to use the energy we are currently able to generate. The existing grid is designed to handle the peak demand however that peak only occurs for a portion of the day/cycle. The rest of the day/cycle is wasted capacity. Excess power generated during the off peak times is basically lost. If there is a way to save or store that energy and then call on it when needed later....that would be a great thing since it would mean that we don't have to build more power generating stations.

Let's imagine there was an EV in every driveway and they all charged during off peak hours. Then power companies could pump electrons into the EV batteries and then use it later during the day when needed to help balance the grid. In that scenario....the EV owner would be paid for the energy consumed during peak times. Buy low and sell high. Many EV owners would sign up for a program like that.

There are dozens of possible applications. The example above is just scratching the surface of what is possible once our society goes electric.

 

[ChasingCoral]

V2G is being explored heavily right now. Simply put, it is increasingly expensive to build new power generating stations so we have to find more efficient ways to use the energy we are currently able to generate. The existing grid is designed to handle the peak demand however that peak only occurs for a portion of the day/cycle. The rest of the day/cycle is wasted capacity. Excess power generated during the off peak times is basically lost. If there is a way to save or store that energy and then call on it when needed later....that would be a great thing since it would mean that we don't have to build more power generating stations.

Let's imagine there was an EV in every driveway and they all charged during off peak hours. Then power companies could pump electrons into the EV batteries and then use it later during the day when needed to help balance the grid. In that scenario....the EV owner would be paid for the energy consumed during peak times. Buy low and sell high. Many EV owners would sign up for a program like that.

There are dozens of possible applications. The example above is just scratching the surface of what is possible once our society goes electric.

Remember that V2G is so popular in Japan already that Nissan has both a CCS and a CHAdeMO port in the new Ariya.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Remember that V2G is so popular in Japan already that Nissan has both a CCS and a CHAdeMO port in the new Ariya.

I'm not sure that's true. I thought that for Japan they retained CHAdeMO for DC fast charging and moved the AC level 1/2 J1772 connector to the left side of the car. Previous vehicles usually put them side by side.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I'm not sure that's true. I thought that for Japan they retained CHAdeMO for DC fast charging and moved the AC level 1/2 J1772 connector to the left side of the car. Previous vehicles usually put them side by side.

You're right. I misspoke it is a CHAdeMO on one side and J1772 on the other in Japan. However, the reason stated for CHAdeMO over CCS is the VTG capability.

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