Vehicles that can power your house?

Electric vehicles are emerging as a new alternative source of power for emergencies, thanks to a technology that allows them to receive energy and return it to buildings or the grid. 

Bidirectional electric vehicles can act as mobile energy storage units, enhancing building resilience and participating in demand and response programs. These vehicles can both receive and supply energy when paired with compatible charging equipment. 

When paired with compatible electric vehicle supply equipment, these vehicles can power buildings during outages, support the grid during peak demand, or complement solar panels, and reduce reliance on diesel generators.

Unlike stationary batteries, bidirectional EVs are mobile. They can be deployed to sites before planned outages or arrive quickly after unexpected ones, making them ideal for emergencies.

Bidirectional EVs offer a unique blend of mobility and clean energy. They are perfect for powering individual buildings, while larger fleets can support broader infrastructure. It can help to decarbonize emergency power systems, maximize the use of local renewable energy, and even replace unreliable diesel generators, which often fail during outages.

These mobile batteries open up new possibilities for emergency backup, demand response, and smarter energy use, driving us toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

Sources: BWM, U.S. Department of Energy, Make Use Of