Electric cars could greatly help stabilise power grids by injecting electricity back into them and help develop renewable energy, according to a study published in the journal Nature.
The switch to renewable energies such as wind or solar is essential to cope with global warming. But these energies, with intermittent production, involve developing electricity storage capacities, which could last only a few hours, in the short term.
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, currently under development, allows electric cars to charge when there is a lot of electricity available and reinject it via the same terminal when the grid runs out. With the proliferation of electric cars, these storage needs could be met as early as 2030 in most countries of the world.
Lower demand for energy storage
The batteries could offer 32 to 62 terawatts of capacity by 2050, more than the storage needs, estimates the International Renewable Energy Agency. This calculation also includes the reuse of used batteries which, from 20% or 30% loss of autonomy, are considered insufficient for cars.
"Using electric cars to store electricity would lower the demand for energy storage and the climate consequences of producing storage equipment," the study states. In addition, "it would increase the flexibility of the electricity grid and the integration of renewable energies."
Governments can "play an important role with incentives," the study stated, with micro-payments for individuals who connect their cars to the charging station and share their electricity, or the obligation for companies to plug in their vehicle fleets.
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The study includes data from the Chinese, European, American and Indian markets and takes into account factors such as different battery technologies, distances travelled by cars or average temperatures, which affect battery life.
Several manufacturers such as Hyundai or Renault are already testing vehicles equipped with V2G, for example in Utrecht, in the Netherlands. Some Teslas are also already compatible, as well as many home chargers.
