Electric vehicle technology has been in the spotlight for
a few years now. It has continually made its way into the
news cycle due to its positive impact on important issues
such as climate change and the ever-increasing fuel prices.
While once just a niche choice in a sea of combustion engine
vehicles, hybrids, PHEVs and EVs are on the precipice of
mass adoption. New Zealand’s fleet of electric vehicles
grows year by year as the technology has moved from being a
great choice but with many caveats, to a force to be
reckoned with without any compromises. From life-long
running costs, low emissions and extraordinary performance,
electric-powered vehicles usually have their combustion
engine counterparts beat.
However, the rise of the
electric vehicle is only the starting point for what the
future has in store. The rise in the feasibility of electric
vehicles is based on the incredible evolution of battery
technology. The battery has come a long way in the last 20
years, and the lithium-ion batteries that power most PHEVs
and EVs are mainstream examples of this. For instance, the
Next
Gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a 20kWh battery to
power the vehicle – a store of energy that would have once
seemed impossible just 20 years ago given its
size.
But what if this technology could go one step
further? What if this same battery that propels an electric
vehicle forward on our roads could also power a home? This
is no longer a pipe dream. The technology exists and it’s
called Vehicle to Home (V2H) power.
Vehicle to Home
Power – How Does It Work?
Vehicle to home power, or
V2H, is a technology that allows electric vehicles to be
connected to the electrical grid and used as an energy
storage device. When plugged in, the vehicle’s battery can
be charged by the grid and then discharged back into the
grid when demand is high. V2H can help to smooth out
fluctuations in demand. In addition, V2H can be used to
provide power for homes or businesses during peak demand
hours, when electricity rates are highest. By using V2H,
electric vehicle owners can save money on their energy bills
and help to support the grid – and this process is far more
efficient than you may imagine.
According to a 2018
study surrounding the power usage of New Zealand households,
the Next Gen Outlander PHEV’s 20kWh battery should be able
to provide a kiwi household with 2 adults and 2 children
enough power for an entire day.
What are the
Potential Capabilities of V2H Technology?
The
potential for V2H is far-reaching. Not only can it provide
power to homes and businesses, but it can also be used to
support the grid during peak demand hours or times of
emergency. When there is a high demand for electricity but
not enough generation to meet that demand, V2H can help to
fill the gap. This is because electric vehicles are often
parked and not in use for long periods of time – making them
the perfect storage devices. In addition, V2H can be used to
provide backup power for critical infrastructures, such as
hospitals or data centres.
V2H is still in its early
stages of development. However, there have been several
trials around the world that have demonstrated its
potential.
Mitsubishi Motors NZ Trials V2H Technology
in New Zealand
There have been a few trial
applications of V2H technology around the world, but it has
only recently made its way to Aotearoa. In June of this
year, Mitsubishi Motors NZ (MMNZ) installed and operated the
first V2H unit that allows electricity stored in an EV’s
lithium-ion battery to be supplied to a home or
business.
The trial was performed by installing the
module in their headquarters in Todd Park, Porirua.
Previously, MMNZ had installed solar panels on the roof of
the facility to charge their PHEVs. With the addition of the
H2V module, they are able to now use the electricity stored
in the batteries of the PHEVs to power the hoists and other
electrical appliances in their parts department.
While
this was a success, the technology does come with some
caveats – in its current state it can only be used with
buildings with 3 phase power, excluding the vast majority of
New Zealand’s homes. In addition to this, the nature of the
system requires the power grid to be operating, so it
currently cannot be used during a power outage.
While
both these setbacks might seriously hamstring the technology
in its current state, it should be noted that H2V technology
is in its infancy – these are both problems that are sure to
be overcome.
Mitsubishi is well aware of the potential
of Vehicle to Home technology. They have been industry
leaders in electric vehicle technology for over a decade,
already futureproofing their PHEV offerings with V2H
compatibility. Both the 2022
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV and Next
Gen Outlander PHEV are already designed to be able to be
used for H2V, adding just another feature in the already
impressive specifications for both vehicles.
The
Future of V2H Technology
It’s still early days for
V2H, but the potential is there for it to become a major
player in New Zealand’s electricity market. With more and
more electric vehicles on the road, the need for H2V
infrastructure will only grow. As the technology develops,
we can expect to see V2H units becoming more commonplace –
and eventually, they may even become a standard feature in
all new homes and businesses.
So while we might not be
able to power our homes with our electric vehicles just yet,
it’s definitely something that is on the horizon. And with
Mitsubishi leading the charge, you can be sure that they’ll
be at the forefront of this exciting new
technology.
Simon Lucas Mitsubishi is one of the
country’s leading suppliers of Mitsubishi vehicles. They
have a wide range of new and used Mitsubishis, including the
Next Gen Outlander PHEV. So if you’re in the market for an
electric vehicle, be sure to visit them, or head to their
website www.simonlucas.co.nz.
They would be more than happy to discuss V2H technology with
you and answer any questions you might
have.
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