Vehicle-to-grid charging demo begins in BC

A vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot project for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles has been launched in British Columbia.

Working with BC Hydro, The Lion Electric Company, BorgWarner, Powertech Labs and Fermata Energy, Coast to Coast Experiences (CTCE) is creating V2G mobile power infrastructure in Canada. It allows energy stored in CTCE’s electric bus fleet to support power grids, such as BC Hydro’s peak and demand response initiatives.

The pilot is designed to test the technical feasibility of bidirectional charging and mobile grid infrastructure, opening up the opportunity to monetize electric fleets.

According to Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro, this trial marks the first of its kind for large vehicles in Canada. “With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, bi-directional charging represents a unique opportunity to use stationary vehicles as back-up batteries to charge electronic devices, homes and businesses and even send power back to the grid when demand is high,” he said.

The V2G pilot project is fully commissioned and is participating in a variety of grid programs while creating a V2G road map for BC Hydro and laying the foundation for distributed V2G charging hubs throughout North America.

Fermata Energy’s bidirectional charging platform allows electricity stored in the bus batteries to be returned to the grid. This means the parked electric buses can be used as mobile batteries with stored energy discharged to mitigate peak energy demand, and lower the vehicles’ total cost of ownership and create value for electric fleet operators.

The initiative lays the groundwork for future deployable V2G charging hubs in Canada and North America. CTCE’s partnership with other critical industry leaders in advancing V2G technology will also highlight the essential role an electric bus fleet can have in offsetting the peak capacity of utilities, such as BC Hydro, during peak periods.

CTCE electric buses, which stand idle many hours each day, can become mobile power plants, allowing utilities, such as BC Hydro, to take power from the bidirectionally-enabled electric vehicle during peak periods to offset the grid. This will be crucial during inclement weather and natural disasters when extreme pressure on the grid creates the potential for outages.

“Ultimately, we are creating grid infrastructure solutions for an electrified transportation ecosystem that will provide for an end-to-end V2G mobile power infrastructure,” said Rob Safrata, CEO of Coast to Coast Experiences and Novex Delivery Solutions.

“This enables commercial electric vehicle fleet operators, when their vehicles are sitting idle, to create a high-power, mobile, bidirectional power plant capable of supporting grid resilience, peak shaving, and powering buildings.”

Lion all-electric buses are equipped with V2G technology. “The pilot project aims to demonstrate the possibilities and impact of this innovative technology, which can support various power needs and generate revenue for the operator,” said Nicolas Brunet, president of Lion Electric.