SP Group tests technology to tap energy on EVs to power grid

This lets the batteries on EVs act as small Energy Storage Systems.

Singapore state-owned power group, SP Group, is testing the possibility of tapping energies from electric vehicles (EV) to enhance grid reliability to cater for the demand on the power grid to support more than 600,000 vehicles when Singapore phases out Internal Combustion Engine vehicles by 2040.

According to SP, when charged, an EV stores energy in its Lithium-ion batteries. The vehicular batteries can act as small Energy Storage Systems (ESSs). When renewable energy sources such as solar power fluctuate due to weather conditions, these ESSs can be a key solution to transfer energy back to balance the power grid. 
.
“If vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is proven viable, it can be a win-win for the electricity system and EV owners, acting as a cost-effective solution to supplement the larger ESSs to overcome intermittency while EV owners can be paid for use of the EV batteries when needed,” SP said.

SP is providing four V2G charging points at SP’s premises for the trial which will be completed in June 2022. It seeks to demonstrate V2G capability and applications including frequency regulation, the injection of power from EVs to reduce demand from traditional sources, mitigation of too high or low voltage in the distribution system, and EV charging during peak and off-peak periods.

“Our trial of V2G integration is another step towards supporting Singapore’s green energy transformation. At SP, we have dual roles to play. As the national grid operator, we are building a resilient and smart grid for the future, ensuring that our energy system caters to the increased load due to the conversion to EVs. To empower a sustainable energy future, we are proactively investing in and leveraging smart energy solutions to enhance our grid’s capacity for renewable energy sources,” said SP Group CEO Stanley Huang.