What is V2G?

Now we’ve introduced EVSE, let’s look at what V2G is with the help of a simple animation.

Simply put, V2G, (as we will be using the term) is the system whereby electricity can flow both into an Electric Vehicle (EV) to charge the battery, and out from the EV, by discharging the battery, for an external use. There are several reasons why you may wish to do this which we will cover in more detail later. The key point is that V2G gives the EV an additional function as a mobile energy storage asset.

You can see from the animation above, a summary of how V2G can work, with energy flowing both into the EV, and out from the EV to (in this case) the home and also the electricity grid. The real value of V2G comes in how these flows of energy are timed and controlled.

The key difference between V2G and conventional charging is the flow of energy out from the EV back through the chargepoint. It is this that requires additional enabling hardware in both the chargepoint and the EV.

What do you think?

Having seen the initial concept, what do you think the benefits of V2G could be?