Released 08/07/2020
Canberra will be the leader in a world first project that will improve energy resilience during peak demand times by providing power and grid services from electric vehicles (EV) batteries back into our grid.
Acting Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability and Minister for Advanced Technology and Space Industries Mick Gentleman welcomed the trial as part of the Government's commitment to an electric vehicle fleet and 100% renewable electricity for the ACT.
"The ACT's green power credentials and status as a technology hub makes it an ideal location for this innovative project," Minister Gentleman said.
"The Realising Electric Vehicle to Grid Services (REVS) project aims to create a new business model to unlock the potential of electric vehicles to help our power grid when the cars are not in use.
"Last year I announced $1 million ACT Government funding for the ANU's Distributed Energy Lab, which will be used in this project.
"It's another demonstration of the ACT Government collaborating with industry to support local technology and encourage the development of new ways to tackle climate change
"The Government is currently transitioning to a zero emissions passenger vehicle fleet where possible and we will be ordering 50 new Nissan Leaf bi-directional vehicles to help this project.
"If the project is successful fleet owners will be paid for putting electricity from their car batteries back into the grid. In the future, we hope this can extend to Canberrans' privately owned electric vehicles.
"This has the potential to improve financial incentives for buying electric vehicles, which will be crucial for reducing ACT's transport emissions. The new system could be particularly beneficial during times of peak power usage as a way of balancing renewable energy delivered into the grid.
"Our partnership with the REVS project helps us deliver our Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles 2018–21 Action Plan and the ACT Government's Climate Change Strategy, which mandates our target of net zero emissions by 2045."
The Realising Electric Vehicle to Grid Services project is co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the ACT Government and led by ActewAGL Retail in partnership with Evoenergy, Nissan, Jetcharge, SgFleet, the Australian National University and Accenture.
The Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, is providing the ACT Government with an $885,000 grant to assist with the purchase of the 50 vehicles, state of the art bi-directional chargers, and associated electrical works. A further $2,470,000 of ACT Government funding will provide for 50 Nissan Leaf 2.0 vehicles and electrical works to prepare ACT Government buildings to receive electricity from the vehicles.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases