Research Shows EVs can Store Renewables to Provide Power to Grids

By Shubhendra Anand , 08 October, 2024

Electric vehicles set a new trend in the automotive industry. It is the largest domain that assists in the clean energy transition. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a better alternative to fossil fuel-running conventional vehicles. EV sales are gaining momentum in 2024. It is due to the growing demand for clean fuel and green transformation. Electric vehicles help to reduce carbon emissions in the environment. New findings from the studies in 2024 show that EVs can give back renewable energy to power grids for storage. Thus, EVs providing storage energy can significantly accelerate the clean energy transition in 2024.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Leiden University's Institute of Environmental Sciences researched EVs. The consumer demand for electric vehicles is slow nowadays. Hence, EV manufacturers are taking a step back from further investments in it. However, a recent study on electric vehicles in 2024 found the potential of the vehicle to support clean energy transition. The need for grids is increasing with the clean energy transition process. Hence, the research claims electric vehicles can provide renewable energy to the grids at the time of need. Researchers show that bidirectional charging in electric vehicles helps them to behave as a storage device. The research is going to determine how much renewable energy electric vehicles can store. The innovation with electric vehicles anticipates feeding the power grids with stored renewables when demand increases. It helps to enhance grid flexibility as EVs can take up and store excess renewable energy.

Further, it will give it back to the energy sector when demands are higher. Hence, it will help to balance the supply storage of renewables in the energy sector. Research suggests the energy storage in the EVs from grids will be done through a bidirectional charging process. Consumers can either return the renewable energy to the grids or store it up to power their homes at night.

Several automakers like Ford, BMW, and General Motors plan to make this innovation a success. Hence, it will increase the reliance on renewable sources by boosting the electricity grid. Additionally, sluggish EV sales can increase momentum by returning energy to the grids. It will serve as a medium for transporting energy between EVs and utility companies.