Future EV owners could earn income by allowing batteries to provide balancing services to grid
Tue 10 May 2011
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Research published by Ricardo and the National Grid says that electric vehicle owers could get a modest financial return from their vehicles by providing balancing services to the power grid and helping to improve its carbon efficiency.
The research suggests that by 2020 the projected fleet of plug-in electric vehicles will be able to provide an average of six per cent of the daily UK network balancing servicing requirements. Demand-side management would provide a modest annual financial return to the individual vehicle owner of approximately £50 amounting to the equivalent of an 18 per cent saving on recharging costs.
The study entitled Bucks for balancing: can plug-in vehicles of the future extract cash—and carbon—from the power grid? concluded, however, that the installation of such systems would be costly, especially in the early stages due to the low volume of electric cars. While it may not be practical for individuals, for owners of large fleets of vehicles it could be a worthwhile investment.
Ricardo's Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Prof. Neville Jackson said: “Ricardo strongly believes that the energy storage capacity of a future electric vehicle fleet needs to be viewed as an integral part of the power system."
Mike Edgar, strategy development manager, National Grid, commented: “This report will bring into focus a potential opportunity for the electric vehicle sector which, as it matures, may lead to a position where the balancing service contribution it can provide is both commercially viable and practical.”
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