Octopus Energy and National Grid ESO demonstrate V2G

In a series of tests, Octopus Energy Group and National Grid Electricity System Operator have demonstrated the viability of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.

In what is believed to be the first successful integration of V2G technology in the UK, the partnership tested the Balancing Mechanism - the primary tool used by National Grid ESO to balance Great Britain’s electricity system in real-time.

In the series of tests run in August, Octopus charged and discharged the batteries of up to 20 electric cars from participating customers at times of grid imbalance. This demonstrated the potential benefit of vehicle-to-grid charging – an hour of a million EVs exporting to the grid could generate the same amount of power as 5,500 onshore wind turbines.

Separate analysis from Octopus Energy’s electric vehicles arm shows that if the trial results were extrapolated across a whole year, the EVs could realise a profit of around £62 million whilst also saving non-participating customers money through grid balancing cost reductions.

Several manufacturers, including Hyundai and Volkswagen, have committed to include V2G technology in their new EVs.

Claire Miller, Director of Technology and Innovation at Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “This is a real ‘line in the sand’ moment for V2G tech. We have shown that this technology is capable of helping to balance our future, green grid, to the benefit of people and the planet.

“We’ve proved what is possible with the technology and cars that are currently on the market, and this is only going to grow. Soon we will have millions of electric cars sitting on driveways capable of storing and exporting green energy back to the grid when it needs it most - and once the vehicle to grid proposition is ready to be launched, these cars will help to support our renewables expansion and taking us a huge step closer to net zero.”

Jake Rigg, Corporate Affairs Director, National Grid ESO, said: 

“The next steps for us are to take these learnings and work with industry on how we develop and deploy a balancing mechanism service for V2G.

“The trial findings will also influence future innovation projects, including the CrowdFlex project we are currently developing with industry, to establish additional routes for consumer engagement in electricity networks.”