Driving change: How EVs could help balance our grid

Original thinking is essential when it comes to energy storage, says Stantec’s Ben Bowler

Innovation across the energy sector and a rise in the delivery of new renewable sources is changing how power is generated and transmitted in the UK. Meanwhile our evolving digital lifestyles and the global rise in energy-intensive operations such as data centres are resulting in an ever-growing demand for power and by extension more power infrastructure. This means it is harder than ever before to do the critical job of balancing power generation and demand.  

When it comes to energy storage, original thinking is essential to relieve this pressure, but what if a new option is on the horizon? Drivers are increasingly embracing electric vehicles (EVs), and it’s in their growing use we can find a forward-thinking opportunity.

Providing communities with vehicle to grid (V2G) charging points allows the power stored in an EV battery to flow back to the grid when it’s not being used – feeding it back to the local distribution network to alleviate grid constraints and improve renewable energy integration in the areas where they’re plugged in.

EVs parked in residential developments could have a crucial role to play – and Stantec is exploring the business case for the replacement of driveways in new development with central charging barns equipped with solar panels and V2G chargers. Essentially the barns could act like small battery storage facilities, while remaining convenient and accessible locations to charge and park your car safely. Ultimately, this approach may help to enable a more efficiently planned national grid.

A greater focus on how we balance energy supply and demand at a local level – with these charging barns as just one example – would be welcome.   

The case for charging barns

Beyond the theoretical benefits for grid efficiency, emerging research by Stantec indicates there is a good economic case for embracing V2G technology in this way.  y equipping charging barns with solar panels and V2G chargers for EVs – the energy generated on site and stored by the vehicles can be sold to the community to generate revenue.  

While more detailed modelling to validate the results is needed, Stantec’s initial research suggests that even in a medium-scale development (around 100 homes), selling the energy at market rates, there would be a significant, positive return on investment.  

In time, the principle could be applied outside of residential developments too – for example, barns near train stations, airports or hospitals – with revenue able to support local authorities.

There may also be several potential secondary benefits to embracing the charging barn concept.  

Firstly, by reducing the need for on-drive parking, streets could be more easily designed around active travel alternatives, providing access only to pedestrians, cyclists and service or emergency vehicles.

Developments centred around charging barns could also provide more opportunities to integrate sustainable mobility hubs including bike-share and car-share systems. With more open green spaces, and fewer vehicles on plots, resident wellbeing could be enhanced with active lifestyle choices.  

Whether it’s the financial incentives bidirectional charging offers, or the possible role of EVs in building resilience in our grid, now is the time for our sector to come together, lead the way, and make sure we’re exploring all the potential of this innovative approach.

Ben Bowler is technical director for renewables & storage, smart energy & sustainability at Stantec