American solar + storage company Sunrun now operates the first-ever vehicle-to-home (V2H) power plant in the United States, Smart Energy International reported. What’s even more remarkable about this innovation is the use of customer-owned bidirectional Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickups.
Sunrun unveils first US V2H power plant
The US Department of Energy granted financial support to Maryland’s largest utility, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), to develop a groundbreaking electric vehicle virtual power plant.
BGE teamed up with Sunrun to develop and manage the regulator-approved program involving three Sunrun customers within its territory.
The involved customers own Ford’s popular F-150 Lightning electric pickup paired with Ford Charge Station Pro and Home Integration System. For context, Sunrun’s existing alliance with Ford makes it the preferred installer for Ford Intelligent Backup Power, including the Ford Charge Station Pro and the co-developed Home Integration System – “the first commercially available bidirectional system” in the country.
Sunrun monitors the participating F-150 Lightnings as they share stored energy between June 1 and September 30, 2024, from 5 to 9 pm on weekdays.
The customers will get monetary incentives based on the amount of energy they share, which is estimated to be about $800 over the program’s four-month course.
“This program is a significant proof of concept – no other market player has done this – and the goal is to expand these programs all around the country.
This exciting partnership lays the foundation for the power grid of the future where electric vehicle owners can contribute to grid resiliency and utility price stability for everyone.
The summer heat can be especially stressful on our power grid, which is why proving the use of stored energy in electric vehicles for capacity is so important.”
Sunrun CEO Mary Powell
What’s special about this V2H power plant?
Vehicle-to-home technology utilizes bidirectional charging technology that enables electric vehicle batteries to both draw power from the electric grid and transmit stored energy back to homes.
Sunrun claims that this system can offer significant energy resilience for homeowners, particularly amid power outages brought on by extreme weather or grid failures.
This considered, it is no longer surprising that bidirectional charging technology is becoming popular amid the shift to electric vehicles. EV batteries continue to deliver significant technological advancements, enabling them to store more energy and release it efficiently. This capability makes them practical alternatives to traditional gas-powered backup generators, as demonstrated by Sunrun’s ongoing venture with BGE.
“By discharging F-150 Lightnings’ onboard batteries directly to participants’ homes, the program showcases how electric vehicles can function like stationary batteries to reduce demand on the grid and create a more resilient and reliable energy system for all BGE customers in Maryland.”
Sunrun
Several automakers, including Ford and Nissan, have already delivered bidirectional charging tech-equipped EV models to the market.
Potential outcomes
Sunrun’s new interest in bidirectional EV charging is unsurprising, considering that it has long been a key player in accelerating residential solar + battery storage uptake in the US.
The project indeed has the potential for a broad impact on the shift to sustainable energy. If such vehicle-to-home systems become more widespread, they could substantially help stabilize electrical grids during peak usage.
In addition, they can also promote more solar adoption as excess clean energy can be stored in EV batteries.
All these considered, the project supports the US government’s wider strategy to cut reliance on polluting fossil fuels.
