Volkswagen is pioneering bidirectional, vehicle-to-home energy solutions
Volkswagen is pioneering bidirectional, vehicle-to-home energy solutions
April 2023
Volkswagen and partner energy company HagerEngery GmbH are currently running a pilot project within a housing estate in Sweden, showcasing the possibility of incorporating a latest-generation all-electric VW ID. vehicle within the day-to-day energy requirements of a modern household.
Available in all ID. products fitted with a 77 kWh (net) battery and running ID. Software 3.5 or higher, bidirectional charging technology allows the user to use their vehicle as a so-called rolling energy storage solution. This means that energy stored within the vehicle’s battery can be fed into a home to supplement the daily energy requirements of a household.
Mated with a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) that can seamlessly draw power from either the available grid, a solar PV system or the vehicle parked in the garage, this solution allows consumers to save on both monthly energy costs, but also find innovative ways of potentially becoming altogether less reliant on a national grid. This includes charging the vehicle during daylight hours using renewable energy solutions, before running their home completely via the car’s battery at night or on days when energy from the sun is less abundant. The HEMS system can dictate which source of power is best to use at any given time.
"We are actively shaping the energy transition with products and services centred around the electric car: With the bidirectional charging function that is now available, we have tailored a new service offering to the needs of our customers. Not only can they save energy costs, but they are also making an important contribution to the sustainable use of energy," says Imelda Labbé, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales.
The bidirectional charging function in the ID. models in combination with the DC charging technology is a dynamic extension of the home storage system. This takes over the main energy supply for the house. The vehicle is activated by the home power station when the home storage system requires additional energy. As soon as the home storage system is recharged, the vehicle stops transferring energy and goes into standby mode. This means that the ID. is only activated when additional energy is required.
Assuming an average consumption of a house of approximately 30 kWh, it can be supplied with electricity for around two full days. The high-voltage vehicle battery cannot be discharged below 20 % state of charge to ensure readiness for mobility.
