E.ON's Research Unveils Preference for Two-way Charging and Cutting-edge Rates
Electric Vehicle Owners Embrace Bidirectional Charging for Energy Savings and Grid Stability
A recent survey conducted by E.ON has revealed a growing interest among electric vehicle (EV) owners in innovative electricity tariffs, particularly bidirectional charging. This technology, also known as Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), allows energy to flow both to and from EV batteries, transforming EVs into dynamic energy storage and supply resources.
According to the survey, nearly three-quarters (73%) of electric mobility enthusiasts are already familiar with offers that make charging more favourable depending on the time of day. Furthermore, 37% of EV owners can envision a bidirectional charging system that benefits financially.
For EV owners, key benefits include energy cost savings, backup power during outages, potential earnings, and increased energy flexibility. By charging their vehicles during off-peak low-cost electricity periods and discharging stored energy back to their homes during peak-rate times, owners can effectively lower their utility bills. For example, savings can reach up to $150 annually in the U.S. or 780 euros in Europe.
Bidirectional charging also allows EVs to power homes during blackouts, keeping essential devices and lights running for extended periods. It automatically isolates the home from the grid during outages for safety. Moreover, through V2G, owners can feed electricity back to the grid during periods of peak demand and high prices, potentially earning around $1,000 per year.
EVs become dual-purpose assets—not just transportation but also mobile energy storage units—adding resilience and utility to owners’ energy consumption. Stored solar power can be used in the evening to operate energy-intensive appliances like a dishwasher, washing machine, or stove—without drawing from the grid.
For energy systems and the broader grid, benefits and implications are grid stability and demand management, lower wholesale energy prices, support for renewable integration, and technical and safety requirements. By discharging stored energy during peak demand or grid stress, EVs help balance load and reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades or peaker power plants.
Increased distributed energy resource capacity from EV batteries can reduce wholesale prices and help lower overall power bills for the community. Bidirectional charging can absorb excess renewable energy generation at low demand times and supply power during shortages, improving grid reliability and facilitating cleaner energy usage.
However, bidirectional systems require advanced hardware such as power converters with fast switching, phase-locked loop synchronization, and anti-islanding protection to safely connect and disconnect power flows from the grid in milliseconds. Safety mechanisms prevent backfeeding electricity onto grid lines during outages, protecting utility workers and equipment.
The survey suggests that 19% of electric vehicle owners are open to a tariff that adjusts dynamically based on the electricity market. E.ON considers "mobile battery" a good complement to an existing home battery storage system, which is smaller compared to the vehicle's battery.
Jens Michael Peters, responsible for energy solutions and electromobility in the E.ON Germany management, states that bidirectional charging is the pinnacle of innovative charging modes. The survey findings show that awareness of bidirectional charging and its financial benefits is growing among electric vehicle owners.
References:
[1] E.ON (2022). E.ON Factsheet: Bidirectional Charging. Retrieved from https://www.eon.com/en/newsroom/media-library/documents/eon-factsheet-bidirectional-charging.pdf
[2] Pike Research (2011). Vehicle-to-Grid: A Key Component of the Smart Grid. Retrieved from https://www.navigant.com/content/library/research-reports/vehicle-to-grid-a-key-component-of-the-smart-grid
[3] Rocky Mountain Institute (2018). Vehicle-to-Grid: A Guide to the Grid-Connected Electric Vehicle. Retrieved from https://rmi.org/insight/vehicle-to-grid-a-guide-to-the-grid-connected-electric-vehicle
[4] U.S. Department of Energy (2020). Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) Systems. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/articles/vehicle-grid-v2g-and-vehicle-home-v2h-systems
[5] National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2020). Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Systems: Technologies, Applications, and Economics. Retrieved from https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/77852.pdf
- Environmental-science students could discuss the role of bidirectional charging in environmental-science, as it allows electric vehicles (EVs) to function as energy storage and supply resources, potentially supporting the integration of renewable energy in the grid.
- The development of advanced technology, such as bidirectional charging systems, aligns with business interests and finance initiatives, as these innovations can contribute to reduced energy bills, improved grid stability, and increased earning potential for EV owners.
- As technology advances, the intersection of science, finance, business, and environmental-science may lead to further innovations, making EVs not only important for transportation but also for serving as mobile energy storage units that contribute to the overall energy flexibility and resilience of our communities.
