V2G

The main objective of the V2G Demo project is to demonstrate the main benefits of using Electric Vehicles (EVs) as a clean energy storage option to ensure power supply capacity to buildings or communities. In the context of the project, Magnum Cap has developed improved Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) chargers with the aim of achieving reduced losses, size, weight and costs. Such chargers have been tested and validated by ISR-UC evaluating their efficiency and power quality parameters. After the validation, the chargers have been used in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Coimbra to demonstrate the implementation of a Building-to-Vehicle (B2V) and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) system, adjusting the charging period of EVs based on renewable generation availability (using B2V), and injecting into the building part of the energy stored in EVs to compensate periods of low generation or reduce the demand from the grid in periods of high tariffs (using V2B). The research project in cooperation with the company Magnum-Cap intends to develop the high efficiency bidirectional charging technologies, using wideband semiconductor technology SiC. The methodologies for the implementation of Grid to Vehicle and Vehicle to Grid systems, as well as their potential benefits for the grid in a scenario with large-scale penetration of renewable generation will also be investigated. The transport sector with electric vehicles (EVs) is increasingly an important consumer of electricity, and as fleets increase EVs can be used as controllable loads, charging in periods with higher renewable generation or lower prices, using the Grid to Vehicle (G2V) system. In addition to absorbing power from the grid as a controllable load, vehicles can also use some of their storage capacity to inject energy into the grid, in order to ensure the balance between the generation and demand, using the Vehicle to Grid (V2G) system. The EV when not in use in the transport only needs to be immobilized on a point of transfer of energy and to allow (or not) the G2V or V2G operation, by pre-programmed indication of its owner. However, to provide benefits for the electrical grid, a charging management system is needed.