OVO, a British energy company based in Bristol, have developed a ground-breaking piece of technology which has the potential to make energy use greener!

 

320 customers have signed up for OVO’s ‘vehicle-to-grid’ trial – receiving a free electric vehicle (EV) charger to test the tech. 

OVOs’ EV charger is different;  the charger not only supplies power to an EV but it also ‘removes’ electricity from a vehicle so that you can sell it back to the grid!

 

Why is this useful?

Well, most of the time our cars are parked and unused. Therefore, a parked EV can be viewed as a sitting power source.

OVO realised this and developed a system that enables an EV’s unused energy to be resupplied to the grid to help power the nation. 

 

How can this technology help us become ‘greener’, or should I say, wiser with energy?

Dr Colin Herron from Zero Carbon Futures, Newcastle University said that: “this technology could offset building another nuclear power station”.

This technology will not change the world but it has the potential to decrease the need for unnecessary energy generation, especially during peak times.  During times of high demand (think evenings when everyone is back from work), energy is often provided by non-renewable sources in order to supply for the heightened demand. OVO’s technology (on a large scale) could in theory reduce the need for non-renewable energy to be made whilst helping EV owners make a bit of side cash!

So far, those on the trail have made between £300 – £900 (in a year) by selling their unused electricity in their EV to the grid. Although, whilst this may sound enticing, it is worth reminding that these participants received a charger for free whilst the rest of us can expect to pay around £4,000 when (and if) these chargers come onto the market.

 

About the Charger

 

The OVO charger is a clever piece of kit which is controlled via an app.  The app is powered by ‘Kaluza’ which is described by OVO as an “intelligent energy platform”. On the app users can set minimum charge levels, schedule charging times and export energy.  It can also present the users charging history – so you can see if you are charging during peak/off-peak hours.

The charger has a power output of 6kW on both charge and export mode and like all EV charge points, requires off-street parking.

Unfortunately, the charger is only compatible with Nissan EVs with a battery of 30kWh or more. As such, only the Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 are compatible with this tech. This is due to warranty agreements between Nissan and OVO. 

If this trial is successful, I hope more EV become compatible!

 

About Wessex ECOEnergy

 

Based in Dorchester, Dorset, we are an award-winning eco-build, solar, battery, and electric vehicle charger installer with a great deal of experience in the domestic and commercial markets. We help our clients to reduce their impact on the environment and save money in the process.

 

If you are interested in a Tesla Powerwall and/or solar PV, contact Wessex ECOEnergy on:  01305 250429 

Or, send us an email at: info@wessexecoenergy.com

 

To learn more about OVO’s EV to Grid trail, read HERE Vehicle-to-Grid Trial: Building better grid for everyone | OVO Energy

 

Photo Credit: OVO Energy