Installing Bidirectional Charging Solutions—Overcoming the Complexities of New Technology
9 Min. Read
Home electrical projects are complex and inherently dangerous to begin with, but now with new electric car models featuring bidirectional charging capabilities, it really takes an expert electrician to get the job done safely and on time.
This article is designed to explain the technological advancements of bidirectional charging and give some guidance on things to look out for to safely complete your home electrification project.
What is Bidirectional Charging?
Unlike standard EV charging stations, a bidirectional EV charger sends energy to and from an EV battery. Bidirectional chargers are more sophisticated and expensive than standard ones, and few EVs available today can use them.
However, this new capability is becoming more common as new EV models are introduced into the marketplace.
Nissan was the first automaker to earn UL certification for bidirectional charging solutions in with their all-electric Leaf designed in partnership with Fermata Energy.
Ford introduced their bidirectional technology about two years ago when they released the F-150 Lightning truck, touting how it provides backup power to the home during emergencies that can combine with solar panels to provide even more energy independence.
Today, many other automakers are rolling out EVs with bidirectional capabilities, including Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, and Volkswagen, and in August , General Motors announced bidirectional charging will be a standard option across its Ultium-based EVs by model year , while Tesla has said all of its EV models will feature power-sharing by .
Bidirectional Charging Complexities
Usually, power goes one way, from the outlet to the appliance. The same has largely been true when EVs are plugged in; the power goes from the charging station to the vehicle’s battery, however, bidirectional EV charging is far more complex than standard EV charging as it involves a two-way power flow.
As the name implies, bidirectional charging offers a power exchange capable of flowing in both directions: power goes into the car but when programmed, is also discharged from the vehicle to your house (V2H) or the grid (V2G)—unlocking new possibilities for revenue with net metering and increasing your independence from the grid.
V2G capabilities are already being widely tapped into Europe and Asia, and the technology is rapidly growing as more emphasis is placed on the potential of these vehicles as a resilient source of power. For example, a Volkswagen executive boasted that the company’s EV fleet, which will soon include cars with bidirectional capabilities, could hold (and provide) more power than the world’s hydroelectric plants by .
Beyond providing increased energy stability, homeowners can also use the technology to save money. Where utilities offer time-of-use electric pricing for kWh rates, an EV with bidirectional capabilities can be used for “peak shaving.” Involving the use of cheaper “off peak” electricity to charge the EV and using this stored energy during “peak” times when electricity rates are highest, peak shaving can further help maximize the impact of your investment.
For businesses, a bidirectional EV fleet strategy can help you power your building and take advantage of energy credits or other incentives by reducing daytime energy usage from the grid.
Electric Vehicles Available Today with Bidirectional Charging
Today, many automakers are rolling out EVs with bidirectional capabilities.
Tesla Cybertrucks equipped with Powershare bidirectional charging technology have onboard electronics that unlock the battery’s ability to provide power whenever you need it:
GM is making V2H technology available on Ultium electric vehicle models, offering owners greater control over their energy:
Ford is introducing intelligent backup power on new electric models including the F-150 Lightning EV:
KIA is adding vehicle-to-load (V2L) ports to their new vehicles such as the EV6, turning cars into electric generators by tapping into the battery and bidirectional charger to provide AC power to electronic devices and appliances:
Bidirectional Charging Requires Extra Hardware and Adds Installation Complexity
Similar to adding battery storage to a solar power system, a bidirectional EV charging system is more complex than a standard project, involving extra hardware and installation expertise.
Quality is vital to your project, and working with a qualified professional who uses the correct type and grade of materials in addition to utilizing the proper technique without cutting corners to save on costs remains the best way to ensure success, safety, and longevity when you install an EV charging station.
For example, the Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series includes bidirectional charging capabilities, also referred to as Powershare by Tesla. Cybertruck drivers looking to access the Powershare feature must also install a Powershare Gateway (unless you already have a Powerwall battery backup system) and a Universal Wall Connector EV charger.
Similarly, to use home backup power functions with the F-150 Lightning you’ll need the 80-amp Ford Charge Station Pro installed with the Home Integration System, while properly equipped GM EVs will need the V2H bundle including a GM Energy PowerShift Charger and GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit to unlock bidirectional charging, as mentioned on the GM Energy website.
Reasons You Should Consider Bidirectional Charging in Your Next Vehicle Purchase
Aging U.S. Power Grid
Most of the U.S. electric grid was built in the s and s with little to no major updates since then. Today, over 70% of the U.S. electricity grid is more than 25 years old.
With an aging system vulnerable to increasingly intense storms, “extreme weather events like the Dixie Wildfire, Hurricane Ida, and the Texas Freeze have made it clear that America’s existing energy infrastructure will not endure the continuing impacts of extreme weather events spurred by climate change,” the U.S. Department of Energy said.
For more dual power control system for electric vehiclesinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
On July 8, , around 2.3 million CenterPoint Energy customers in the Houston area lost electricity during the Hurricane Beryl storm. One week later 40 percent of the utility’s customers were still without power in 100-degree heat and high humidity.
Power Imbalance Problems
In addition to grid challenges from age and climate, there just isn’t enough electricity generation available in various parts of the country to meet the needs & demands of electricity users during certain times of the year—especially as seasons and weather patterns continue to become more extreme.
While electricity demand continues to rise in a world reliant on technology, extreme weather leading to an increase in demands for electric power to fuel heating and cooling is also playing a major part in the concerns regarding energy shortages.
Over the past five years, the United States has witnessed a total of 1,115 power outage incidents. California and Texas have seen more outages caused by “major disturbances and unexpected occurrences” than any other state, but these outages have still resulted in catastrophic damages and concerns for many in every state across the U.S.
These disruptions cause a wave of worries for homeowners, from the inability to cook or preserve refrigerated food or the loss of access to hot water to even being unable to heat or cool homes in extreme temperatures.
Finding yourself without power in an emergency is a reality that many have faced over the past few years, and it’s only predicted to get worse as inclement weather occurrences continue to rise nationwide and globally.
Utility Incentive Programs
If the above infographic is shocking, you can find solace in the fact that many utilities across America are incentivizing customers to reduce electricity consumption and install smart home technologies with remote energy management capabilities.
Some modern examples to help offset these challenges include: Demand Response programs, Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
Demand Response Programs
Demand Response programs encourage electricity consumers to reduce their energy consumption during times of peak demand. This helps to reduce the strain on the grid and avoid blackouts or brownouts.
Demand Response programs often offer financial incentives to customers who participate, similar to receiving compensation to stay in a hotel when your flight is overbooked.
Just as airlines prefer to cover your hotel costs instead of arranging a new flight, grid operators prefer to compensate you for using less energy rather than constructing a new power plant.
Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
DERs are small-scale energy resources that can be used to generate, store, and control electricity. DERs are generally located near the point of use or consumption. Examples include smart thermostats, solar panels, battery storage, and bidirectional EV charging.
Smart thermostats enable customers and utilities to remotely adjust temperatures during peak load times to help lessen the strain on the electric grid and prevent power outages in extreme circumstances. Utilities may encourage their customers to install smart thermostats with financial rebates or other incentives.
Standalone battery storage units, as well as EVs equipped with bidirectional charging, can also help provide relief. With the appropriate permissions, these technologies can be remotely accessed by utilities when power grid conditions become severe. Homeowners can earn rewards for using less energy during periods of high energy demand and by allowing the local utility to pause charging events and/or pull energy back into the power grid.
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a network of decentralized energy resources that work together as a single power plant. VPPs are made up of medium-scale power generators, flexible power consumers, and storage systems, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.
At their heart, VPPs involve the aggregation of a large number of distributed energy resources (DERs), which can be collectively controlled to benefit the grid and potentially overcome a utility’s need to otherwise activate a traditional peaking power plant.
Supply VPPs involve electricity-generating DERs, such as solar-plus-storage systems, which can be combined and controlled as a single resource when needed.
For homeowners with solar, battery storage, or an EV with bidirectional charging, enrolling in a VPP can lower your energy costs, as utility companies typically provide financial incentives whenever they utilize your energy.
Bidirectional Charging is Bigger Than Just Recharging an EV
Fortunately, bidirectional charging and other electrification technologies can help by providing increased energy resilience, decreased reliance on the electric grid, and a sustainable solution to the energy crisis.
As you can see from the above examples, advancements with bidirectional charging technology allow EV drivers to do much more than just recharge their vehicles.
With the technology already available today, you can use your car’s bidirectional charging capability and battery to power your home and help support the grid by sending excess electricity back to your utility company, and the technology is only improving.
More electric vehicle models with bidirectional charging capabilities are coming in the near future, making this technology more widespread, accessible, and efficient, and helping to create an increasingly resilient energy ecosystem.
While bidirectional charging alone provides an incredible solution, you can further become self-sufficient and energy-independent by pairing this technology with solar.
This technology is still evolving, and the possibilities and potential it can create are yet to be determined. In the future, perhaps a 13.5kWh home energy storage for backup or emergency power is no longer needed as new EVs with 100kWh+ battery packs and bidirectional charging capabilities become the solution that eliminates double hardware.
Let Qmerit Help You Understand Your Bidirectional Charging Options
Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, Qmerit’s experienced network of certified electricians has installed more than 770,000 EV charging stations in homes and businesses across the U.S. and Canada!
As the preferred installer for GM Energy and their residential energy management solutions including the GM Energy PowerShift Charger and the GM Energy V2H Enablement Kit, as well as being the designated Certified Installer for Tesla Powershare Home Backup equipment, Qmerit is at the forefront of the bidirectional EV charging movement.
Trusted by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, no one is more recommended than Qmerit.
The company is the world’s best electric winger supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Comments
0