Nissan will collaborate with UK-based Newcastle University and others on a large-scale trial of vehicle-to-grid technology which will put to test 1,000 V2G electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The duo will be partnering with Imperial College, Northern Powergrid, UK Power Networks and National Grid, along with V2G aggregator Nuvve.
The trial is part of a £9.8m project announced by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister Richard Harrington.
According to Newcastle University, V2G technology enables electric vehicles to be integrated fully into the power grid. As a result, it will help boost grid capability to handle renewable energy, thereby ensuring that renewable sources are more widely integrated and less costly.
The university said that owners and businesses having huge EV fleets will get a chance to create mobile energy centers by integrating their vehicles into the power grid.
EV drivers by connecting to the grid to charge the battery at non-peak periods will be entitled to use the power stored in the vehicle’s battery to feed back to the electricity grid. As a result, the EV owners can earn additional revenue.
Newcastle University project lead Myriam Neaimeh said: “Using these V2G chargers that allow bi-directional power flows, customers could offer their EVs to support a reliable and cost-effective operation of the power system in exchange of lower bills.
“The aim of e4Future is to identify and help overcome barriers to make this vision a reality. If successful, this project will be a game changer for both the transport and electricity sectors.”
Nissan Europe Nissan Energy managing director Francisco Carranza claims that the company’s EVs can be connected into the power grid to help its sustainability and stability.
Carranza added: “To ensure Nissan plays a wider role in the advancement and protection of our cities, our electric V2G-ready vehicles will be used as clean mobile energy units.
“Nissan has also reiterated its bold mission to offer customers free power for their EVs. V2G introduction will change the rules of the game and make energy cheaper for everyone.”
Image: Newcastle University project lead Myriam Neaimeh. Photo: courtesy of 2018 Newcastle University.