EV batteries contain enough energy to power an average house for several hours. But a new study by European Transport & Environment Group suggests using them for bidirectional charging with EV batteries on occasions. This option is fast becoming a socially-responsible way to supplement household income, and support the grid.
Using Electric Vehicles for Bidirectional Charging
A bi-direct approach allows EV owners two choices of what to do with their batteries, while their vehicles are standing idle. They could:
- Charge the vehicle during off-peak. Sell the energy back to the supplier during peak demand. Recharge the vehicle again during off peak periods.
- Charge the vehicle during off-peak. Use the energy to power their home during peak demand. Recharge the vehicle again during off peak periods.
Both of these strategies shift part of high demand consumption to low-demand periods, achieving an energy saving.
The European Transport & Environment Group drafted their report in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. Both these organizations are highly respected. Therefore we should note what they say.
In a nutshell, Transport & Environment Group and Fraunhofer claim:
- Bidirectional charging with EV batteries could save the European Union’s energy system US $ 24 billion annually by 2040.
- This would translate to an 8% reduction on the cost of building and running the European Union energy system.
- And furthermore, this could result in a total saving of more than US $ 108 billion between 2030 and 2040, the report concludes.
Huge Impact from Bidirectional Charging With EV Batteries
These huge potential benefits from using batteries creatively, would assist the European Union to transition to renewable energy, while saving citizens money in the medium term. Moreover, the system would also save off-peak renewable energy, that might otherwise be lost to lower demand.
Electric vehicles could become the European Union’s fourth-largest electricity supplier, according to the report. This would reduce the need to construct some additional generating capacity, avoiding those knock-on carbon consequences too.
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