EVs can use vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology to provide power to the electricity grid during a power blackout.
That’s what experts says can be done more in the future, particularly during an emergency or when demand requires, ABC News reports, particularly after a trial involving about 16 of 51 ACT state government EVs in Canberra helped supply the national electricity grid during a major blackout in Victoria in February this year.
The EVs were involved in the Realising Electric Vehicle-to-Grid Services project (see ARENA).
An Australian National University researcher says it was an important demonstration of what EVs can do to help boost the national grid, estimating just over 100kW was put in.
The researcher reckons if the 100,000 EVs sold in Australia last year could help power the grid when needed they would provide similar power as that used by New South Wales and ACT.
Many newer EVs are arriving with V2G capability, but even stopping EVs from charging for a short time during an emergency could help keep power on.
Energy providers already have agreements with some big power users, such as factories and large commercial enterprises, to slow down or stop operations during times of extreme demand on the grid, the ABC says.
EV owners should decide whether to participate in V2G schemes, especially in terms of their EV warranties, says Australia’s Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).
The ABC says V2G offers a big opportunity to Australia to help reduce power bills and close fossil-fuel power stations sooner.
