UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Bidirectional charging turns EVs into mobile power banks
31/7/2024
8 min read
Feature
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent, the focus has been on enhancing their efficiency, range and overall performance. However, just by adding the potential for vehicles to return charge along the same cables provides a number of transformative benefits for the owner, community and the grid, explains Sara Siddeeq.
Bidirectional charging allows an EV not only to draw power from the grid to charge its batteries but also to discharge and supply power back to the grid or a home. The technology could redefine the role of EVs in our energy systems, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the future of electric mobility and grid management.
The dual functionality of bidirectional charging is facilitated by power electronics and communication systems integrated into both the vehicle and the charging infrastructure. The concept relies on two primary modes: vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) or vehicle-to-building (V2B).
V2G technology enables EVs to provide power back to the electrical grid through a bidirectional charger that includes a DC to AC converter. This system allows EVs to support local, regional or national energy needs by intelligently managing charging cycles. During periods of low energy demand, EVs can charge, and during peak demand they can return electricity to the grid.