TenneT, Germany’s largest power network operator, announced on Wednesday that it is expanding a pilot project to investigate the use of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in helping to stabilize power transmission networks. TenneT said in a statement that 20 BMW i3 electric cars were delivered to private consumers as part of an experiment that began in 2019, and that another 30 would be given to business fleet users in the coming weeks as part of the extended investigation.
According to the company, the tests will connect the automobiles to charging infrastructure and electricity grids in order to enhance renewable energy flows and ensure supply security.
In the three-year project, TenneT and BMW will be among a larger group of public and private sector partners that will test key hardware and software.
As the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles accelerates, carmakers are increasingly investigating linkages between EVs and grids.
The procedure is known as “bi-directional load management,” and it means that EVs can not only “fill up” with electricity but can also send power back in the opposite direction when it is not needed by the car.
Rooftop solar panel owners, for example, might maximize the usage of home-produced green power while also earning money from surpluses.
TenneT chief operating officer Tim Meyerjuergens said, “We’re interested in developing innovative ways to flexibly steer weather-dependent, renewable power output and therefore relieve stress on the electricity grid.”
TenneT, which operates the largest of Germany’s four power transmission networks as well as the grid in the Netherlands, where its parent company is based, is a vital player in the transition to a carbon-free economy.
As Germany continues to add more volatile wind and solar power, while reliable capacity such as nuclear and coal generation is shut down due to climate and safety laws, keeping frequencies stable is a primary priority.
(Vera Eckert contributed to this report.) Mark Potter edited the piece.)/n
