Nissan vehicle-to-grid system charges into Oz

NISSAN is participating in a pilot of bi-directional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in one of the first approved locations in South Australia, where the brand’s electric Leaf hatchback will be able to share energy stored in its battery with the electricity grid.

The second-generation Nissan Leaf and recent Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid models are capable of feeding battery energy back into the power grid, enabling owners to sell stored off-peak or solar energy at peak times, and serve as a mobile emergency power source during blackouts or natural disasters.

V2G technology is not widely available for use in Australia yet, but SA Power Networks (SAPN) has approved one of the first pilot sites at Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars in Greenock, South Australia.

Winemaker and owner of Ballycroft Vineyard and Cellars, Joseph Evans, has used the V2G technology alongside rooftop solar to not only eliminate his expensive power bill, but profit from the energy he feeds back into the grid.

“I’ve gone from a $6000 annual power bill to making around $50 per week in profit selling my excess power back to the grid,” Mr Evans said.

“That is more than $2500 in annual profit, from what was once a significant cost. And what’s even better is the fact that, while fuel and electricity prices are only heading in one direction – and that direction is up – my costs are fixed, and fixed at zero.

”Instead of paying for my power, I’m getting paid for my power. “ 

South Australian customers are now able to submit an application to SAPN to install the same Wallbox Quasar V2G unit, with Jet Charge opening orders in late January for the next shipment of units.

“This is a game-changer, and I wanted to be right at the front of the queue to have V2G installed," Mr Evans said.

“It makes me entirely self-sufficient with my power needs, makes my home and business more sustainable, and it’s so easy to use.

“If your next car is going to be an EV, and it should be, make sure it has vehicle-to-grid technology, like the Nissan Leaf.”

The Nissan Leaf’s 40kWh battery offers enough range for Mr Evans to make his daily round-trip to Adelaide, where he makes wine deliveries to restaurants, before recharging the vehicle later that day using rooftop solar. 

After recharging his vehicle, Mr Evans then uses the stored energy to power his home and property overnight, while also feeding unused energy back into the grid and earning a rebate tariff.

This case study follows the recent Realising Electric Vehicle Services (REVS) project, which deployed 51 Nissan Leafs across the ACT to trial the technology and explore how it can support Australia’s energy infrastructure.

“While the REVS project continues to be extremely positive, it’s incredibly rewarding to see this game-changing technology now being piloted in a residential and commercial setting, and to see the real-world benefits V2G can deliver,” said Nissan Australia electrification and mobility manager Ben Warren.

“V2G transforms the Nissan Leaf from a vehicle into a mobile energy storage solution, at once meeting both your transport and home energy needs. 

“We’ve seen this technology deployed internationally, and it’s so exciting to now see it begin rolling out across Australia, first in the ACT with the REVS project, and now with our first customer site in SA.”

V2G technology holds future potential in Australia, enabling owners of compatible electric vehicles to operate microgrids with less reliance on traditional energy networks.

The use of distributed energy resources (DERs) , which are smaller generation units located on the consumer side of the power meter and typically from renewable sources, have the potential to improve energy security and lower the cost of electricity.

DERs are connected with traditional energy grids, which allows electric vehicle owners and those with batteries in their homes to profit from the energy they put back into the grid. 

The federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has studied the management of growing DERs penetration, suggesting that the technology is on the rise as part of a ‘global energy transition’.

Australia is a global leader in rooftop solar, with more than 2.3 million systems installed –  equating to around 23 per cent of households – and a report from ARENA predicts that more than 40 per cent of Australian consumers will use on-site DERs by 2027.

While V2G systems are not yet being used by a large number of Nissan and Mitsubishi customers, the technology is an important step in Australia’s clean energy transition.