EV owners may soon sell battery power back to grids like rooftop solar scheme

Power distribution companies are working on a new technology that will allow electric vehicle owners to supply stored power in their vehicles' battery back to the grid.

The vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, like rooftop solar power scheme, will enable electric car owners to sell electricity stored in their vehicles back to the grid. Under the project, discoms are also assessing feasibility of using EVs as backup power sources during peak demand periods.

BSES Rajdhani Power Limited and BSES Yamuna Power Limited have signed an MoU with the India Smart Grid Forum on a collaboration on V2G projects in south and east Delhi. The India Smart Grid Forum will implement this project in partnership with the University of Delaware, US, to pilot the initiative.



The V2G project aims to demonstrate the technology’s capabilities and benefits. It has the potential to revolutionize the power sector and reduce carbon emissions in the transportation and energy industries. Another official noted that the project will show how EVs can participate in the power market by storing electricity when prices are low and selling it back during peak hours.

"This will also test the feasibility of charging EVs with green electricity," an official told the Times of India.

With V2G technology, EV owners can charge their vehicles during off-peak hours and sell the stored power when their vehicle is not in use. This can occur even during periods of peak power demand, allowing them to earn incentives set by the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission. "This is pretty much like selling surplus rooftop power to the grid and earning incentives," said the official.

The V2G technology is expected to help discoms manage power demand more efficiently. It can prevent additional power purchases during peak hours, provide grid stability, and offer an extra layer of backup to critical installations. Moreover, widespread use of this technology could contribute to a sustainable energy ecosystem by integrating renewable energy sources.

"By enabling EVs to interact seamlessly with the power grid, we are exploring new paradigms of energy use that benefit both our consumers and the environment," said the BSES official.