Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and BMW of North America (BMW) have joined forces to explore the potential of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology. The collaboration is underway and builds on earlier smart charging schemes the utility and carmaker worked on.
The latest testing phase is underway at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services (ATS) Lab in San Ramon, which focuses on evaluating V2X technology and its integration with the power grid. This collaboration stems from the success of the ChargeForward program, initially launched in 2015, which incentivizes BMW drivers to align their EV charging with renewable energy sources. The program expanded in 2021 to include all BMW electric vehicle owners who are also PG&E residential electric customers in Northern and Central California. In today’s news. PG&E delivered an update and said the program led to 1.4 million miles in California being powered by 100% renewable energy in 2022.
“Electric grid sustainability is becoming an increasingly complex challenge across the US,” said Adam McNeill, Vice President of Engineering BMW of North America. He added BMW was “excited to continue pursuing additional customer benefits while helping make the grid more dependable and sustainable.”
From V2G to vehicle-to-everything
The latest pilot takes bi-directional technology to the next level by assessing how EV batteries can optimize household energy consumption. By switching between stored renewable energy and grid-provided renewable energy, a V2X-connected EV can supply double the amount of renewable energy typically consumed by an average California household daily, according to PG&E’s preliminary findings.
In addition, real-world testing considers vehicle functionality and driver behaviour, and the new phase involves field trials of V2X-enabled vehicles at BMW’s office in Mountain View, California. These trials aim to evaluate what PG&E considers advanced use cases that can support renewable energy integration on a neighbourhood scale.
Aaron August, PG&E Vice President of Utility Partnerships and Innovation, added that using V2X technology to create virtual power plants formed by EVs, utilities can meet peak electricity demand without relying on non-renewable energy sources.
As PG&E and BMW extend their partnership until March 2026, they expect their efforts will further advance vehicle-to-everything technology. The ultimate goal is to realize a grid infrastructure that maximizes renewable energy utilization while maintaining grid stability and reliability.
PG&E’s involvement in the energy and mobility sectors extends beyond its collaboration with BMW. The utility is also engaged in V2X programs with General Motors and Ford, while Tesla customers can contribute excess energy from Powerwalls back into the grid.
Keyword: PG&E and BMW advance collaboration from V2G to V2X testing