With electric vehicles on the rise and global demand for clean renewable energy increasing, it’s time for EV owners to consider how they can help prop up their nation’s power grids using their vehicles.
In the United States alone there are currently over one million electric vehicles, and that number is projected to grow to over 18 million by 2030. This can have an astonishing effect on the infrastructure of the nation’s power grid, provided the vehicles are used correctly.
How Could You Contribute?
EV owners can contribute to the power grid in many ways, but the most effective are:
- Charging at Non-Peak Hours: Avoiding peak hour energy surges can help the grid’s balance and reliability. To do this, use automated timers or charging apps so your car will charge when energy is in less need. You can often even take advantage of cheaper electricity in off-peak hours.
- Giving Back to the Grid: When your car is plugged in, it can actually send energy back to the grid while you get a credit on your energy bill. Some areas even offer cash back programs in exchange for charging during peak hours to provide more energy to the grid.
- Using Grid-Connected Storage: Grid-connected storage devices are able to store and dispatch energy, while keeping the total electricity demand on the grid to a minimum. This can be done using battery packs and electric car batteries, which can help balance the grid particularly during peak hours.
The Benefits of Participating
By contributing to the grid with your Electric Vehicle you can not only help reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, you can also:
- Save money on energy bills
- Reduce power outages
- Reduce CO2 emissions
- Support the transition to renewable energies
It only takes a fraction of EV owners to create an impact, so now is the time to start breaking down the barriers between Electric Vehicles and the nation’s power grid. By taking advantage of the charging opportunities and being rewarded, you can help ensure a more reliable grid in the future. In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular, as a clear indication of the evolution of sustainable energy. But did you know that EV owners can have an even greater impact in improving the environment by providing support to the electric grid?
For many communities, having a flexible and reliable power grid is essential for day-to-day operations. Unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain a reliable power grid due to an influx of new power sources and intermittent sources of renewable energy. This issue is significant because it can lead to potential power supply shortages.
Fortunately, EV owners can help. Currently, there are roughly 1.25 million EVs in the US, and if just a fraction of EV owners volunteered to help, the grid would be able to respond to changes in demand much quicker. The key is to utilize intelligent management of EV charging and discharging, allowing the grid to easily reduce fear of energy shortage.
Smart charging management technologies are currently available to drivers that allow them to connect to their local power grid and contribute to demand response, helping the grid in times of elevated load. This is done by covering a portion of their EV’s energy needs with stored energy, allowing them to reduce their own energy consumption while simultaneously helping to stabilize the grid.
In many cases, EV owners receive an incentive when they provide support to the grid. Depending on the specific program, EV owners can benefit with monetary incentives, rebates, or credits. This is beneficial for both the EV owner and the power grid, as it allows everyone to benefit from the reduced stress on the power grid and the incentive for EV owners to help support the grid.
Therefore, EV owners should consider contributing to the power grid. By participating in demand response programs, EV owners are helping to maintain a reliable power grid, promoting the growth of renewable energy, and ultimately helping to lower emissions. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.