Horizon Power has successfully completed a 12-month trial testing technology to facilitate two-way charging of electric vehicles (EVs).
The trial took place in Exmouth, where Horzizon Power conducted a range of tests exploring the future possibility of using V2G energy flow to power homes, reduce power bills, and stabilise the electricity grid.
The results clearly demonstrated that V2G technology has the potential to manage the two-way flow of energy from EVs charging and discharging into the power network, while ensuring stability and reliability.
Horizon Power will use the findings of the trial to inform the development of products that will allow customers to get more from their EVs than just getting them from A to B. This could include helping them to power their homes or even earn money by feeding energy back to the grid.
The trial was the first of its kind in Western Australia and was conducted using the regional energy provider’s (DERMS Distributed Energy Resource Management System).
DERMS used data from Horizon Power’s power systems, connected solar, the EVs and weather forecasts (predicting the availability of solar energy), to successfully balance power system stability with customer needs.
DERMS is already used to ease electricity grid capacity constraints, enabling more regional households to connect rooftop solar.
Horizon Power Acting CEO, Krystal Skinner, said the V2G trial is a major step forward in the utility’s customer-led decarbonisation journey,
“[it] enhances our understanding of how energy flow from EVs can be incorporated into our microgrids, especially in regional and remote towns,” she said.
“Having already proven effective in removing hosting capacity constraints so that more Horizon Power customers in regional Western Australia can access rooftop solar, our DERMS is now proving capable of supporting future EV integration at scale.”
“This trial is a shining example of our commitment to innovation and collaboration with our regions, supporting a resilient, scalable energy future.”
As part of the Western Australian Government’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan, the trial has enhanced Horizon Power’s understanding of how energy flow from EVs can be incorporated into its microgrids, especially in regional and remote towns.
Western Australian Energy and Decarbonisation Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, said the success of this regional trial in Exmouth is an important milestone in the state’s clean energy transition and in testing the technology that could make two-way charging a possibility in Western Australia.
“The findings confirmed for Horizon Power that its technology can manage EV charging and discharging intelligently, helping it to keep the grid stable while paving the way for flexible, customer-led energy products,” Ms Sanderson said.
“Electric vehicle batteries are powerful. As well as helping to stabilise the grid they have the capacity to power homes and reduce energy bills.
“The success of this trial sets a strong foundation for EVs to be integrated into our power systems.”
As Horizon Power develops DERMS, EVs have the potential to draw power from the grid to charge but also feed power back into the network when needed – for example, when demands for energy are at their peak or when the flow of energy in the system needs to be stabilised.
Horizon Power partnered with the Gascoyne Development Commission, Shire of Exmouth, Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and WA Country Health Service, providing them each with a V2G-compatible Nissan Leaf EV and V2G smart-charging equipment for the trial.
Gascoyne Development Commission, Acting Director, Amanda Willmott, said she was proud to have been involved in the trial.
“For small communities like this to be doing something so progressive, that’s incredible,” she said.
Shire of Exmouth President, Matthew Niikkula, said the shire is extremely proud to have been part of this 12-month trial.
“The integration of EV energy flow into microgrids marks a forward-thinking step toward smarter, more sustainable energy systems,” he said.
“The Shire of Exmouth has a strong commitment to innovation in our regional community, and this trial paves the way towards a more environmentally sustainable energy future.”
Further information about Horizon Power’s V2G trial can be found at www.horizonpower.com.au/evorchestration
