British Gas has become the latest supplier to join Western Power Distributions (WPD) vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial, Electric Nation.
The trial is designed to demonstrate how EVs can provide storage capacity to then provide flexibility to the grid. WPD is using the CrowdCharge platform to allow participants to set charging parameters and receive incentives for the flexibility they provide.
Electric Nation will provide a realistic simulation by using four different energy partners, and participants across the Midlands, South West and South Wales. British Gas is the last to be appointed, with Flexitricity the first energy partner announced last October, followed by Green Energy and Igloo Energy in January 2021.
Americo Lenza, portfolio director for service & solutions at British Gas, said the trial would put customers in charge of their “energy future”.
“We see a time when our cars, or even the humble hot water tank can be used as an energy store for excess wind or solar power, storage that can then be discharged when the wind isn’t blowing.
“This not only helps the UK transition to a net zero future but means we can unlock savings for customers and help us all live more sustainably.”
WPD will select 100 Nissan EV owners to take part in the trial, and they will receive free V2G chargers. Participants must be able to have their EVs plugged in for over 12 hours overnight, and need an average charge of just one or two hours said British Gas.
Each of the four suppliers will have 25 participants on their EV tariffs throughout the trial.
Mike Potter, CEO of CrowdCharge, added that the “diverse range of different energy partners” was a key element to the trial, as it allows them to “more realistically simulate the vehicle to grid charging landscape in the future”.
“This is why we’re delighted to have British Gas as an energy partner for the project, and we look forward to discovering participants’ views about the different approaches and tariffs of a range of energy suppliers.”
Current± caught up with Potter as well as WPD’s innovation and low carbon network engineer Ricky Duke earlier this month to discover more about the project.
