Australia: Ausgrid integrates first V2G connection into New South Wales grid

Australia’s largest electricity distributor Ausgrid has successfully connected a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system to its electricity network in New South Wales. The milestone enables electric vehicles to not only charge from the grid but also to discharge electricity back into it, effectively transforming EVs into mobile battery storage systems.

V2G technology allows EVs to discharge electricity back into the network during periods of high demand, reducing stress on the grid and improving performance. According to Ausgrid, this capability could defer costly infrastructure upgrades by enhancing grid flexibility and reliability, ultimately benefiting all customers. Around 1.7 million homes in Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley can thus apply to have V2G hardware installed to charge and discharge their EVs. However, it should be noted that there are currently only a handful of V2G-capable electric models available in Australia.

Customers will be able to use their EV batteries to sell excess energy back to the grid during peak periods and recharge at off-peak rates, generating an additional income stream while optimising their energy usage. Speaking to the magazine Utility, Ausgrid’s Group Executive for Distributed Services, Rob Amphlett Lewis, described the connection as an exciting advancement that unlocks new opportunities for both customers and the grid.

“We’ve done the foundational work to understand how to integrate this V2G technology safely and effectively and our customers can now begin to benefit,” he said. “V2G transforms EVs into more than just a transportation tool – for customers that are interested, they can become income-generating assets and energy-management systems, enhancing the overall value and practicality of owning an EV,” Lewis added.

Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, emphasised that this first connection is paving the way for more customers to financially benefit from supporting the grid during peak demand. “This is a game-changer and we are excited to see how this technology will enable our customers to take a more active role in the energy ecosystem, turning their electric vehicles into a valuable resource that can support their homes and earn them income,” she is quoted as saying by Utility.

Ausgrid also highlights that a typical EV battery is approximately six times the size of an average home battery, offering substantial capacity to support the grid in a manner similar to residential storage but at a larger scale.

The company reiterated its commitment to working with customers, regulators, and industry partners to expand the potential of V2G technology in Australia. This connection is expected to pave the way for a future in which electric vehicles play an integral role in creating a more flexible, reliable, and sustainable energy system for New South Wales. “We are researching the inclusion of V2G capabilities in all future kerbside chargers, helping more people benefit from this emerging technology,” the company states on its website.

utilitymagazine.com.au, linkedin.com, ausgrid.com.au (project page)