Energy trading solution trial sees excess energy sold back to grid
Local electric vehicle start-up Australian Clean Energy (ACE) EV and energy retailer Discover Energy have formed a strategic partnership on Australia’s first commercially ready vehicle-to-grid (V2G) trial.
The energy trading solution will see ACE EV operators use Discover Energy’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) software to optimise charging times, selling excess energy back to the grid at peak prices.
The V2G trial will use Series 4 ACE Transformer vehicles – a yet-to-be-launched model, the company tells ATN – 15 of which will be assembled later this year by Aldom Electric Vehicle Manufacturing in South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District.
The partnership comes after ACE EV secured a $5 million grant from the federal government to fund a 12-month-long ‘Advanced Australian Vehicle to Grid’ program.
More on ACE-EV’s government backing, here
Once commercially available, it is set to deliver significant cost savings for electric vehicle users, as well as stability benefits to the grid, according to Discover Energy co-founder and CEO Anson Zhang says.
“As an early pioneer and local leader in VPP, we’ve helped households across Australia harness the potential of their solar and battery systems to say farewell to costly bills and ‘hello’ to a greener, more sustainable future,” Zhang says.
“Our latest collaboration with ACE EV will take this a step further.
“This V2G solution will financially reward eco-conscious Aussies by allowing them to trade surplus energy back to the grid while their car is parked at home.”
It’s noted the purpose-built ACE vehicles can act as a direct power source for work tools in emergency situations, demonstrating mobile energy management capabilities with grid resilience services and home energy security during power outages.
“We are on the threshold of a new energy era in Australia,” ACE EV Group managing director Greg McGarvie says.
“We are exploring how the EV battery can be used to offset everyday energy costs and how the utilisation of this new EV solution can create more reliable access to affordable clean energy.”
ACE EV will use a small part of the grant to help establish an EV manufacturing facility.
It is also partnering with Optus, Watt & Well and SenSen Networks as part of the V2G trial.