Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Technology  

In News

• The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and IIT Bombay have initiated a pilot project to explore the implementation of V2G technology across the State.
  • Though, V2G in India is still at a nascent stage.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology

• Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology is a transformative solution aimed at enhancing the sustainability and resilience of electric grid infrastructure.
• It allows Electric Vehicles (EVs) to send power back to the electricity grid when not in use, acting as decentralized energy storage. It enables both
  • G2V (Grid to Vehicle) – charging EVs from the grid.
  • V2G (Vehicle to Grid) – discharging power from EVs to the grid.
• It supports renewable energy integration, demand response, and grid stability.
  • Smart charging and Time of Use (ToU) tariffs are key tools to manage this.

Benefits 

• It can manage peak demand and avoid grid overload.
• It can store excess solar energy during the day and use it at night.
• It improves grid stability by modulating variable renewable energy.
• Utilities can use smart charging, well-designed tariffs, and financial incentives to encourage V2G adoption and truly decarbonise transportation.

Challenges 

• The implementation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) services faces complex and region-specific regulatory landscapes.
• Key challenges to effective V2G integration include technical difficulties, data security, and fragmented regulations. 
• A major technical issue is the unpredictable and irregular availability of EVs for grid services due to varied charging behaviors. 

Global Application

• V2G is already active in Europe, the U.S., and the U.K., where EV owners are compensated for returning energy during peak demand.
  •  In California, it supports grid stability and emergency power during crises.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• V2G technology has the potential to provide grid services such as peak power support and spinning reserves while also acting as renewable energy storage.
• Data-driven optimization of EV charging can enhance grid reliability amid rising EV usage and distributed energy resources. 

Source :TH