PG&E Starts V2X Testing to Lower Electric Bills

Pacific Gas and Electric Company and BMW of North America are collaborating to test how vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can serve as a solution to offset growing demand on the power grid, improve reliability for electric customers, and maximize the usage of renewable energy.

The V2X testing will explore the utilization of EVs as a flexible grid resource.

Returning Excess Stored Energy to Trucks

V2X technology will someday empower EV drivers to return excess stored energy from their vehicle batteries to the grid in exchange for compensation. It presents an ideal response to high-demand power conditions and a key grid stability and resiliency solution.

Additionally, V2X technology could play an essential role in increasing the amount of greenhouse gas-free resources powering the grid by storing solar and wind energy generated during the day to supplement the availability of clean energy during the peak evening demand period and overnight.

The pilot assesses how a typical home could maximize its renewable energy usage by switching between EV battery-stored renewable energy and grid-provided renewable energy.

How V2X Technology Works

The EV battery charges when the renewable energy mix on the grid is highest, and the battery discharges throughout the day to support the household load.

Results show that a vehicle-to-home connected EV can provide roughly double the amount of renewable energy that a typical California household would be able to use on an average day, significantly increasing customers’ ability to use more green energy daily.

Testing also offers insights into how V2X vehicles perform under real-world scenarios, considering vehicle functionality and driver behavior to ensure that EVs can be used as a viable grid resource while still meeting customer needs.