New technology which will unlock the potential for electric vehicles to help power people’s homes has been boosted by almost £30 million in government funding.
This will help to accelerate development of BPV-2-G (battery powered vehicle-to-grid) technologies that could enable electric cars and vans to deliver electricity back to the smart grid to light homes and power businesses.
Through its Industrial Strategy, the government is committed to becoming a world leader in shaping the future of mobility and in the design and development of the clean technologies of the future.
The funding has been awarded to 21 BPV-2-G projects to pay for research and design and development, with the aim of exploring and trialling both the technology itself and commercial opportunities.
Perth-based utility SSE and the French-owned nuclear power giant EDF are among electricity generators taking part in the trial.
These schemes will demonstrate how energy stored in BPV batteries could be borrowed by the electricity system during peak hours, before being recharged during the off-peak in time for their drivers to set off on their next journey.
Using BPVs in dense urban areas will significantly reduce local emissions and improve air quality.
Led by EDF Energy R&D UK, a large-scale demonstration of BPV-2-G technology, using 100 BPVs from a number of organisations including several delivery and taxi companies, will be piloted in Oxford.
The project will develop, trial and evaluate potential business models for fleet operators’ use of electric vehicles and their suitability for vehicle to grid charging.
British Transport Minister, Jesse Norman, MP, said: “As the number of BPVs grow and their battery capabilities increase, there is a huge opportunity for them to make a significant contribution to a smart grid.
“These projects are at the cutting edge of their field. Just like the visionary designs of Brunel and Stephenson in transport, they could revolutionise the ways in which we store and manage electricity, both now and in the future.”
13 Feb 2018
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