Nuvve is the operator of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services for the E-Flex project in London, UK. Currently two fleets of bidirectional electric vehicles (EVs), controlled by Nuvve’s GIVeTM platform, have been performing V2G services. One of our customers is the fully electric parcel delivery service, Gnewt, who has 10 Nissan eNV200 vans connected to 10kW bidirectional DC chargers, enabling the energy to flow in or out of the battery when controlled by Nuvve’s software. V2G is a key technology that enables the smart use of energy from EVs at a site and also provides storage for the grid by using EV batteries.
Recently Nuvve demonstrated several valuable services within the same 24 hours.
Peak Rate Pricing Avoidance (Time of Use Optimization)
Using EV battery storage to minimize building energy usage – also called time of use (TOU) optimization – the EVs push energy back into the building at high rate times. Or, if not enough energy is available in the battery to discharge, they are put in sleep mode so they don’t add to the building and overall site load. The vehicle then contributes to lower electricity bills by reducing demand during peak hours.
Frequency Regulation
Using the energy stored in the battery of the EVs at night, Nuvve demonstrates frequency regulation service for stabilizing the grid. This power output service does not use much energy from the batteries, but creates a much needed power action for the grid to keep the frequency at 50Hz. When there is an excess of energy on the grid, the frequency rises and energy is stored into the batteries. Conversely, when there is a shortage of energy on the grid, the frequency drops below 50Hz and energy is pushed out of the EVs to compensate. Using EV battery storage is advantageous from both a cost and CO2 usage perspective. This service is usually bid on frequency regulation markets such as the one managed by National Grid in the UK. Nuvve is currently also using EVs to bid on frequency regulation markets both in Europe and in the U.S., and has been a pioneer in developing this technology.
Charging EV Batteries During Periods of Low Carbon Intensity
The most important service that Nuvve delivers for its customers is ensuring that the batteries of the EVs always have the right level of charge to perform daily driving duties. Our platform ensures, based on each drivers’ individual needs, that the appropriate amount of energy is charged into the battery. In the example below, the battery charge is at 100% in the morning, but this can be adjusted according to different needs. And, when charged overnight with low carbon intensity energy, this fleet operates cleaner than standard charging leading to greater environmental benefits.
By combining multiple services within the same 24 hours, Nuvve is able to provide value by saving energy on the local buildings and sites where the vehicles are parked, generating revenue from energy markets, and charging the battery with low carbon energy. While these services happen when the vehicles are parked, the drivers will always be guaranteed to have the energy that is needed to drive the vehicles when it’s time to perform their work duties.
