State-owned distributor Horizon Power has announced the successful completion of a 12-month trial in Exmouth, Western Australia, utilizing bi-directional charging with electric vehicles (EVs) to supplement the power grid. The trial aimed to manage excess power and stabilize the grid using Horizon’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) in real-world conditions.
The trial involved the use of vehicle-to-grid services (V2G), where a vehicle’s battery powers both the car and the supply grid when parked. Ray Achemedei, Horizon Power’s Executive General Manager of Technology and Digital Transformation, explained the trial’s details during an interview with Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC Radio Perth.
“Basically what we did is we got a fleet of Nissan Leafs and we allocated those Leafs to some partners up at Exmouth,” Achemedei said. “The agreement was that they would get to use these Leafs day in, day out and help participate in some trials along the way.”
Managing Power Demand and Enhancing Grid Stability
The DERMS platform was designed to draw power from the EVs’ batteries during peak demand and implement fast charging during low demand periods, effectively easing stress on the system. The system ensured that the batteries were never completely drained, allowing users to use their cars as needed.
Achemedei highlighted the potential of EVs in creating a more stable grid, especially in small tourist towns like Exmouth, which experience fluctuating power demands due to seasonal visitor influxes.
“What we’re anticipating is as EVs become more and more prevalent, the likelihood of EVs turning up in places like Exmouth, Broome, Esperance et cetera is going to continue to increase,” he said. “The need to be able to manage them well is going to be quite important for us.”
Community Feedback and Environmental Impact
Feedback from trial participants was overwhelmingly positive, overcoming initial doubts about the feasibility of EVs in remote locations. Amanda Willmott, acting director of the Gascoyne Development Commission, expressed pride in participating in such a progressive initiative.
“For small communities like this to be doing something so progressive, that’s incredible,” she said.
Matthew Niikkula, Shire President, noted the trial’s role in paving the way for a more environmentally sustainable energy future for Exmouth.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Despite the trial’s success, Achemedei stated that Horizon Power has no immediate plans to implement DERMS more broadly. He emphasized the need for further development of business rules and technical standards before a wider rollout can occur.
“The reality is there’s still a lot of business rules and technical standards that need to be agreed to,” Achemedei said. “The customer experience is super important for us. This only works well if customers are a willing participant.”
The announcement comes as energy providers worldwide explore innovative ways to integrate renewable energy sources and stabilize power grids. Horizon Power’s trial in Exmouth represents a significant step towards harnessing the potential of EVs in energy management, with implications for similar communities globally.
