A new pilot program in California is transforming electric vehicles from simple transportation devices into mobile energy storage systems for homes and the electricity grid. Developed through a partnership between Bidirectional Energy and Wallbox, the initiative deploys 120 advanced bidirectional chargers that allow electric vehicles to both charge from the grid and supply stored electricity back to homes or the grid when needed. By establishing standardized permitting and grid connection procedures, the project aims to move vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) technologies from pilot demonstrations to large-scale adoption, helping consumers reduce electricity costs while providing valuable flexibility to the power grid.
The project utilizes Wallbox Quasar 2 bidirectional chargers, which operate similarly to solar inverters or home battery systems. Integrated with Bidirectional Energy’s software platform, the technology enables electric vehicles such as the Kia EV9 to function as large mobile battery packs. During periods of peak electricity demand or grid outages, stored energy can be discharged from the vehicle to support homes or stabilize the grid. Since most vehicles remain parked for the majority of the day, their unused battery capacity represents a significant opportunity to improve grid resilience beyond traditional smart charging programs.
One of the primary barriers to widespread deployment is the lack of standardized regulations among utilities and permitting authorities. Today, grid connection approvals for bidirectional charging systems can take several months, slowing consumer adoption. Through this pilot program, the participating companies are working closely with electrical engineers, utilities, and regulators to streamline permitting procedures and establish consistent safety standards. Their long-term objective is to make installing a bidirectional EV charger as straightforward as installing a residential solar energy system or home battery, ultimately allowing millions of electric vehicles to become decentralized energy resources within the modern electricity network.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
