The University of Delaware’s Department of Earth, Ocean and Environment has been developing a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system in the past few years. In a demonstration that V2G technology is ready to roll, the University of Delaware licensed this system for the first time to an outside party. New Castle, Delaware-based AutoPort will incorporate the V2G system as part of its vehicle modification business. AutoPort in conjunction with AC Propulsion and the University of Delaware will complete 100 V2G vehicles within 18 months.
V2G drivers will be allowed to charge at any public charging station in the state of Delaware. These drivers are not only drawing from the electrical grid but sending back excess power once their batteries are fully charged. While EVs and plug-in hybrids are already well equipped for this challenge, AutoPort and future licensees will need to convert gas-powered vehicles to operate on this system. The University of Delaware system uses a combination of an Internet connection within the plug-in unit and GPS tracking to charge the electricity used to the right drivers. This system will be tested in the next two years as AutoPort gradually gets V2G vehicles on Delaware roads.
The 120kW V2G system from the University of Delaware is powered by a 35kWh lithium-ion battery pack recharged by an 18kW onboard charger. This system is electronically limited to 95 miles per hour in order to achieve a per-charge distance of 150 miles. Thus far, the University of Delaware has tested its V2G system in Toyota models. AutoPort plans to incorporate V2G systems into Chevy vans and other fleet vehicles used by Delaware businesses. The first four V2G vehicles converted by AutoPort will be sent to the state government as part of its green initiatives. For each V2G vehicle sold, the University of Delaware will receive a small royalty, which should contribute to further advances in this technology.
V2G technology is being supported at the state and federal level as part of clean energy legislation. The Delaware state legislature passed a law in September 2009 allows V2G owners to receive compensation for excess electricity sent back into the grid equal to the rate charged for recharging EV batteries. The federal government has been soliciting ideas and prototypes for reducing emissions in the United States Postal Service fleet in conjunction with V2G legislation proposed in December 2009. The only factor holding back V2G technology at this point is whether the costs justify the benefits. The University of Delaware projects that a single V2G vehicle can discharge 19kW of electrical power, which would be sufficient to power 12 homes. Once the first 100 V2G vehicles enter the fray, we will be able to study their impacts on electrical grids to determine the system’s efficacy for wider distribution.
