Electric vehicle network engineer experiments with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology using his Geely X5, providing a sneak peek into the forthcoming era.
In Australia, the adoption of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is gathering momentum, with real-world trials demonstrating its practical viability and potential to revolutionise the energy sector.
Scott Purnell, an innovation technology specialist at Essential Energy, is one of the pioneers in this field. He has successfully implemented a V2G system at his home using a Geely EX5 EV and a Sigenergy bi-directional charger. This setup has enabled Purnell to power his home, recharge his household battery, and export electricity back to the grid.
During a high voltage event on the grid, the Sigenergy system automatically disconnected Purnell's house from the network to protect the system. Despite this disconnection, Purnell's home ran with minimal reliance on the grid for 37 hours, showcasing the resilience and intelligence of the V2G system.
However, the widespread implementation of V2G technology faces a significant barrier: vehicle warranties. According to Brad Trethewan, the head of innovation at Essential Energy, anyone with a Sigenergy system in the Essential Energy network can access V2G with the software rollout. However, car manufacturers must approve V2G charging across networks, a hurdle that needs to be overcome for broader adoption.
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) is advocating for government support to accelerate the V2G rollout. They propose expanding existing home battery rebate programs to include V2G chargers, offering subsidies (around $3,000) to stimulate market growth and drive down costs through scale.
The National Roadmap for Bidirectional EV Charging, released earlier in 2025, outlines policy and technical frameworks to integrate V2G technology nationally. This roadmap, along with the ongoing trials and advancements in smart-grid integration, bodes well for the future role of V2G in Australia's energy landscape.
V2G technology offers numerous benefits. It can help smooth demand spikes, contributing to grid stability by using EV batteries as distributed energy resources. This also offers consumers a way to reduce electricity costs by selling stored energy back to the grid or powering their homes during outages or peak times.
As more electric vehicles with bidirectional capabilities enter the market and charger prices drop, V2G is expected to become a mainstream part of Australia's energy ecosystem. The technology promises significant benefits in grid management, consumer energy independence, and decarbonization efforts.
The success of early trials and ongoing advancements in smart-grid integration indicate strong potential for widespread rollout within the next few years. With the support of industry and government, Australia is poised to capitalise on the opportunities presented by V2G technology.
References:
- The Driven
- Renew Economy
- One Step Off The Grid
- Essential Energy
- Sigenergy
- In Australia, the renewable-energy industry is exploring the potential of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, with finance from various sectors crucial to its widespread implementation.
- The finance sector could play a vital role in supporting the growth of V2G technology, as the drop in charger prices and increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will drive down costs and stimulate market growth.
- As lifestyle changes and technology advances, data-and-cloud-computing solutions could integrate V2G technology to improve grid management, energy efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions.
- The car-maintenance industry might also experience changes with the rise of V2G technology, as electric vehicles require less routine maintenance and offer new opportunities for energy storage and distribution.
- The success of V2G technology could lead to a transformation in Australia's energy sector, attracting investments in renewable-energy generation and supporting the country's commitments to decarbonization efforts.
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