Together with UK Power Networks and G99 Professional Services, Octopus Electric Vehicles has unveiled a new device to unlock vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging in the UK.
The Powerlimit is designed to allow V2G technology to work alongside domestic solar or batteries, allowing more renewable energy to be connected to the grid. It sits between the charger, energy asset and smart meter, and is designed to ensure the network capacity is maximised.
“Not only is this a first for the UK consumer market, it paves the way for homes to help balance the grid faster than ever before,” said Claire Miller, director of technology and innovation from Octopus Electric Vehicles.
“Solutions are needed for homes that need additional capacity to export solar, battery and V2G energy to the local grid. As part of a range of approaches, these Powerlimit devices will enable customers to export energy from their homes even where there are restrictions to help develop a more balanced and greener grid.”
There are now almost a million homes in the UK with solar power, as well as an increasing demand for V2G as the electric vehicles (EVs) rollout continues apace. By adopting a Powerlimit, homes can access a range of energy exporting technologies, according to Octopus Electric Vehicles.
It was developed as part of the Powerloop project, which looked at how EVs could be used to balance the grid and reduce consumers’ bills. It was launched in 2018, and is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), while Innovate UK acts as delivery partner.
In October 2021, it became the first EV based programme to enter National Grid ESO’s Balancing Mechanism.
“Powerlimit answers the need for a compact and cost-effective export-limitation device to provide a solution to single premise multiple export systems for EV systems where the total export is limited,” Mark Thomas and Steven Cook, directors of G99 Professional Services said.
“Drawing on our experience of demand side response and large battery systems we have developed a range of devices that can be used everywhere from people’s homes all the way up to small to medium-sized commercial industrial premises.”