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Toyota and Pepco Boost Grid Stability with V2G Collaboration

Toyota and Pepco enhance grid stability and integrate renewable energy with their V2G collaboration in Maryland.

Maria Guerra, Senior Editor-Battery Technology

June 26, 2024

2 Min Read
V2G technology
Toyota and Pepco Team Up to Research Vehicle-to-Grid Technology in Maryland.Toyota Motor North America.

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology allows electric vehicles (EVs) to communicate with the power grid, enabling bidirectional power flow. Essentially, EVs can draw power from the grid to charge their batteries and return stored energy to the grid when needed.

Utilizing the stored energy in EV batteries, the grid can be stabilized during peak demand periods or emergencies. This is particularly valuable during extreme weather events or unexpected power outages, where the additional power from EVs can prevent blackouts and ensure a continuous energy supply. This bidirectional flow turns EVs into mobile energy storage units, making the grid more adaptable and robust.

Also, V2G can help balance this variability by storing excess renewable energy generated during low-demand periods and feeding it back to the grid when demand increases. This balance is crucial for maximizing the efficiency and utilization of renewable energy resources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

EV owners can potentially earn revenue by selling excess power back to the grid, offsetting the costs of owning and operating an EV. Utilities can benefit from reduced peak load pressures, which can lower the overall costs associated with grid maintenance and expansion, and V2G can reduce the need for expensive energy storage infrastructure by leveraging the existing fleet of EVs as a distributed energy resource.

Related:Stellantis’s Oliver Gross: V2G Can Be a Complete Game-Changer

Toyota and Pepco collaboration

A prime example of V2G's potential is the collaboration between Toyota Motor North America and local energy utility Pepco. They are researching using Toyota’s bZ4X battery electric vehicles to explore bidirectional power flow. This project aims to understand the practical applications of charging and discharging, ultimately benefiting customers and aiding utility providers in managing grid demands effectively. This initiative supports Maryland's ambitious EV goals and recent legislation promoting V2G technology, showcasing how partnerships can drive the energy transition forward.

"Bidirectional charging is a great way for customers to leverage their electric vehicles in a way that supports the grids and their home electricity ecosystem," stated Christopher Yang, group vice president, Toyota EV Charging Solutions. "Working with Pepco will help us understand charging and discharging use-cases, which will ultimately benefit our customers and help utility providers better understand grid demands."

V2G technology holds significant promise for enhancing grid stability, supporting renewable energy integration, and providing economic benefits. As the adoption of EVs continues to grow, V2G's relevance will only increase, making it a cornerstone of future sustainable energy systems.

Related:Will Vehicle-To-Grid Technology Finally Shoot Up?

About the Author

Maria Guerra

Senior Editor-Battery Technology, Informa Markets Engineering

Battery Technology Senior Editor Maria L. Guerra is an electrical engineer with a background in Oil & Gas consulting and experience as a Power/Analog Editor for Electronic Design.  Maria graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE). She combines her technical expertise with her knack for writing. 

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