A major government trial of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in Australia will demonstrate the Nissan LEAF’s ability to supply energy to a home or commercial site, or to feed power back to the grid, thanks to its built-in bidirectional charging capability.

The Realising Electric Vehicle Services (REVS) project is a precursor to the customer launch of Nissan’s V2G technology in Australia this year. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will deploy 51 LEAFs in its government fleet, and the EVs will provide frequency control ancillary services (FCAS) to the National Electricity Market.

Utilities rely on FCAS to keep power grids operating at optimum levels during times of fluctuating demand, preventing instability that can lead to blackouts. The trial will focus on the Nissan LEAF’s ability to provide energy to the grid to help stabilize loads across peak and off-peak periods.

In a home application, an EV could serve as a mobile energy solution. The LEAF’s 40 kWh battery can store energy from solar panels during the day, then release that energy to supply a home’s power needs at night. Customers who use a workplace or public site to charge their vehicles could then use that power to supply their homes. A parked car could even become a revenue-generating asset by providing ancillary services to the grid.

Nissan Australia Managing Director Stephen Lester says Nissan has the only V2G-capable vehicle from the factory on the Australian market today. “Nissan has been a global leader in this space, with several successful trials conducted in overseas markets.”

“With more people working from home currently, with a Nissan LEAF in the driveway, a household could significantly reduce their power bills by using their vehicle as a battery,” says Lester. “And if they have solar panels, they can maximize their use of renewable energy, and still have an exciting zero-emissions car to drive.”

Source: Nissan