Electric cars as mobile batteries for the power grid
Electric vehicles can not only reduce emissions, but also serve as temporary energy sources for buildings by returning stored charge back to the grid. This technology is already being tested in airports and hotels, but further development of infrastructure and standards is needed.
Vigor
Electric vehicles help reduce dependence on gasoline and lower emissions, but they also significantly increase electricity consumption. Most existing power grids are not designed to handle such high demand, which creates new challenges for energy infrastructure. At the same time, there is growing interest in using electric vehicles not only as consumers but also as sources of energy for the grid.
Electric Vehicles as Energy Storage for Power Systems
In essence, electric vehicles are batteries on wheels that spend much of their time parked. This opens up the possibility of using them as temporary energy storage units, capable of returning some of their stored electricity back to the grid. This concept is at the heart of the DriVe2X project, developed by European energy companies and research organizations.
Practical Application of the Technology
The concept has already been tested in real-world conditions, notably at Porto Airport (Portugal) and in several hotels on the Isle of Wight (UK). Hotels and airports are considered ideal testing grounds because their energy consumption follows predictable patterns.
A possible operating scenario looks like this: after a day of use, the electric vehicle is plugged in to charge overnight. In the evening, when most guests return to the hotel and energy demand peaks, part of the energy can come not only from the grid but also from the batteries of parked electric vehicles. In this way, electric vehicles temporarily become additional energy sources for the building. Later at night, when electricity demand drops and prices fall, the cars can be fully recharged by morning.
Technical Limitations
Currently, implementing this system is limited by the need for bidirectional charging. For this to work, electric vehicles must support the ability to return energy to the grid, and compatible charging stations must be available on site. Despite the existence of an open communication standard for bidirectional charging (ISO 15118-20), many manufacturers have yet to adopt it consistently, leading to compatibility issues.
Development Prospects
If technical and regulatory barriers are overcome, this technology could be used not only in hotels and airports but also in transport hubs, apartment complexes, and private homes. The DriVe2X project is exploring the potential to scale this concept for broader use within the energy system.