Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology will allegedly help strengthen the grid.
The increasing number of EVs requires higher electricity consumption, which has led to many concerns that electricity grids across the country, and the world, would not be able to sustain the heightened load placed on them during peak hours. Grid failures have become more common in the last two decades, but some, like Ford's director of global sustainability, Cynthia Williams, believe that EVs could help prevent these failures and support or even strengthen the grid.
In an article by Business Insider penned by Williams, she talks about how vehicle-to-grid (V2G), also known as bi-directional charging could improve the integrity of power grids.
V2G technology allows energy stored in EV batteries to be distributed back to the grid during peak usage hours when it would be strained. And when demand dies down, the grid will recharge the plugged-in EV. The Ford F-150 Lightning has this technology with the Intelligent Backup Power, capable of powering homes for ten days.
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But there are some limitations Williams does not address. For starters, getting mass buy-in from EV owners. While in concept, it would work, early adopters of EV tech are still worried about things like range anxiety. While the theory behind this tech is that the EV will feed the grid and then recoup during off-peak times overnight, we'd hate to be in a scenario where an EV doesn't reach the state of charge (SOC) overnight needed for longer journeys and commutes, all because the grid needed help.
This concept also relies on mass cooperation and thousands of owners plugging in whenever their vehicles are not being driven. Until such time as wireless car charging happens, it's too much of a chore to plug in several times daily, and the abovementioned risk is also a factor.
Then there's the concept that many owners of eco-friendly plug-in hybrids don't even plug in anymore, so the assumption that EV owners will do so regularly is a big one, and slightly misguided.
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Many questions remain, but the concept, while idealistic, could represent a dream scenario in which electricity storage is shared across societies.
“We're doing our part at Ford to make these solutions realities – for both the power grid and our customers,” said Williams.
Ford has genuinely put in a lot of work into the concept, and earlier this year, CarBuzz discovered a patent filing from the Blue Oval detailing tech that would see EVs detect power outages and prepare the home for them to provide uninterrupted power supply.
Other automakers also have their versions of bi-directional charging, including Hyundai, which lets you power appliances from the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, although the ability to sustain households and feed back into the grid is currently limited.
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Williams said Ford is considering providing financial incentives to EV drivers who plug their cars in for V2G. In the long run, this can help reduce the cost of owning an electric car. Moreover, EVs becoming like mobile power plants can consequently reduce the need for fossil power plants that produce harmful emissions.
Ford calls for collaborative efforts among automakers, utility companies, and policymakers to advance energy-efficient technologies such as the V2G. This way, V2G could begin its commercialization, potentially strengthening power grids and revolutionizing how we see EVs.
If tech like this is to support the grid in the way Williams envisions, it would require mass buy-in and cooperation from the EV-buying public at large. This in itself might prove tricky, but we suppose you've got to dream…
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Keyword: Ford Wants You To Use EVs Like Giant Power Banks To Prevent Grid Collapse