PRE Power Developers leader in V2G charger modules
It is no secret that PRE has faith in V2G Charging / Vehicle-To-Grid charging. PRE has been working on this innovative technology for years with as a tangible result two standard V2G charger modules (6kW and 10kW). A couple of years ago, many experts had their doubts regarding V2G charging. Now the sentiment seems to be changing. Even Elon Musk of the Tesla motor corporation seems to rethink his previous point of view on V2G charging: “Very early on, we had the ability to use the car as a battery outputting power. Maybe worth revisiting that.”
The concept of V2G
Since the invention of electrical energy by Nicolas Tesla, energy was to be distributed to the users in the most reliable and economical way. At that time, and even today, there were no ways to store the energy, while demand was changing all the time. This has led to an incredible sophisticated system of Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR), where huge machines (generators) are spinning in idle mode, just in case the demand would ramp up and make the grid collapse. The spinning reserve basically acts as an extra buffer of available energy. Since these machines are actually spinning, keeping them operational costs serious money for fuel and maintenance.
We are just one step away from the EV era. In this era there will be a lot of batteries on the road. Or actually, parked since most vehicles are only driving 10% of the time. The remaining time they are parked at home or at work.
The V2G concept envisions the use of the EV batteries as a virtual power plant. This concept can not only be used for your home, but also for a nation or even a whole continent. The batteries of Ev’s and other energy containers will be joined together to become a virtual, very dynamic and flexible power supply. Since the batteries are controlled by the software on the bidirectional V2G converter this is a much more efficient solution compared to mechanical, spinning machines.
V2G – a growing market
V2G technology is only at the beginning. Research agency Navigates estimates that the V2G capacity is at 2.6 GW for 2017, or just 1% of the global grid services market, increasing to 20.5GW or 4% in 2026. The company projects the global grid services market as nearly 198GW in 2017, growing over the next decade to more than 516GW in 2026.
It is expected that the success rate of V2G will differ per region. Important factors of influence on the expected success are the number of electrical vehicles, an advanced grid, renewable energy sources and V2G legislation. At this moment there are not a lot of regions that adhere to all of the requirements. However, a growth of the number of electrical vehicles should accelerate the other factors as well. Read: clean vehicles as an enabler for a clean electricity grid.
V2G enables large savings
An important reason for the increasing interest is that V2G can lead to a huge cost reduction. A recent study has shown that a fleet of electrical vehicles can save up to billions of dollars with a controllable load. It can also get more out of renewable energy. A controllable load makes it possible to control the charging of an EV. This is possible with all electrical vehicles, as long as it is connected to a smart charging station.
On its own, it can have a massive impact on the grid by reducing peak demand and charging only when demand is lower, but the study shows that vehicle-to-grid technology, which also enables a vehicle to send power back into the grid with a bi-directional charger, would have an even greater impact.
According to research conducted by ABI Research, Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology can ensure additional revenue of up to $2 billion for global utilities by 2025. The study says the technology could enable consumers to save up to $272 per year on their energy bills.
PRE V2G Charger modules
PRE Power Developers develops DC fast charging, as well as V2G modules. These modules are used for charging stations to build a V2G fast charger. This makes the V2G charging module a crucial part of a V2G charging station. PRE Power Developers has two standard modules for V2G charging: the 6kW V2H Charger Module with PV Input option (Single Phase) and the 10kW V2G Charger Module with PV Input option (3 Phase).
PRE continually researches V2G and its possibilities. In April 2018 there was a lot of international attention for the research conducted by PRE and TU Delft regarding electric vehicles charging directly from PV. This PV module is available as standard.
PRE Power Developers is also involved in the Trolley 2.0 project. The goal is to create a smart Trolley Network. PRE plays a crucial role with the development of a 700V DC bi-directional charger. The batteries of the trolley busses are involved in this project as well.
Nissan Leaf for V2G testing purposes
Tesla is thinking about V2G again. Nissan is the leader in the automobile branch on V2G. Nissan has been testing different Vehicle to Grid (V2G) system with the Leaf in Japan for years. Nissan has unveiled a new EV ecosystem including a scheme to offer ‘free’ power to owners with a V2G system with the launch of the next generation Leaf. PRE Power Developers has its own Nissan leaf to test the V2G power modules and innovations immediately.
Warranty and V2G
Since all initiatives are supported by the car OEM’s, the car’s warranty for the battery remains fully covered (for example 10 years, 200.000 km).
V2G: CHAdeMO and CCS
Today only CHAdeMO compatible cars offer V2G functions. But for sure CCS will enable bidirectional V2G functionality soon.
Case PRE V2G charger modules
PRE’s V2G charger modules are easy to use by the builders of the EV chargers. A good example is the cooperation between NewMotion, eNovates and PRE Power Developers. Together these companies introduced next generation Vehicle to Grid technology. In the article the following can be read regarding the cooperation between these companies: ‘NewMotion and eNovates found the perfect partner in PRE Power Developers (PRE) for the DC part of this new product. "PRE Power Developers has been active for nine years in the development and production of DC power modules for direct current charging of electric cars. We are actively looking for growth markets and align our R&D accordingly. Electric driving is one of those markets, and certainly one for bi-directional charging,” says Erik van Beusekom, CCO at PRE. “Therefore, we have further developed these DC modules so that we can control the flow in two directions, with great efficiency and reactivity.”’
Another interesting case is the cooperation between OVO Energy and Nissan.
Download
Contact PRE POWER DEVELOPERS
Power Research Electronics b.v.
Minervum 7073
4817 ZK Breda
The Netherlands
T +31 (0) 76 58 11 077
F +31 (0) 76 58 11 237
E info@pr-electronics.nl
Follow Us
Facebook
Linkedin
Youtube
ABOUT PRE POWER DEVELOPERS
* Power Research Electronics BV (PRE) is a privately owned company in The Netherlands, working under the name PRE power developers.
* PRE power developers is an independent supplier of EV Charger Modules and Power Electronic Technology for the European and US market.
* In 2002 the main field of work was PV solar inverters, standalone inverters and battery BMS.
* As of 2008 PRE is active in DC fast charging technology and a technology provider for charger companies.
* Since 2012 PRE is working on solutions for the energy transition, where EV’s, renewable solar/wind energy, self driving – shared cars and battery storage will play an important role in the secure and cost effective supply of electrical energy.
« Back
Power Research Electronics B.V. | Minervum 7073 | NL-4817 ZK Breda | T: +31 76 581 10 77 |