Nissan is one of the pioneers in the electric vehicle industry, and the Japanese company continues to look for ways to deliver new technologies to customers. In a press release, the company announced that they are working with the vehicle-to-grid services provider Fermata Energy and has approved the first-ever bi-directional charging system that can be used in Nissan Lear in the US.
That means owners of Nissan Leaf in the US can now use the stored energy in the electric vehicle's battery to power their homes by sending the stored energy back to the grid. This is touted as the first of its kind to earn a UL 9741 certification for bi-directional charging solutions.
The Nissan Leaf electric car is pictured at the Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo on October 25, 2019.
Converting EVs to Backup Energy Station
In 2012, some reports said the Nissan Leaf model could be discontinued because of its low demand in the market. Now, the company announced that it could soon be used to share its saved battery ability back to the grid for several hours, especially during emergencies.
TechCable reported that the technology they will use is interchangeably referred to as Car-to-Grid (V2G), Car-to-Dwelling (V2H), and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L). Despite these different terms, they all describe a technique that converts EVs into a backup storage energy station.
Other automakers with bidirectional charging options include the Intelligent Backup Electrical power element used in Ford's all-electric powered F-150 Lightning truck and Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 V2L element.
However, the famous electric car maker Tesla is more on pushing its focused PowerWall battery backup resolution that somehow resembles virtual electrical power plants.
Nissan and Fermata believe that the bi-directional charging system will create more worth from the electrical power stored in the battery of the vehicle and that the charger can assist lower the EV's whole value by allowing the developing pull vitality during peak times. Fermata Strength CEO David Slutzky added that it could also help cut down anxiety on the energy grid, which could be a problem in the foreseeable future if utilities and grid operators do not make the appropriate investments.
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Bi-directional Charger Help Save Money
According to Nissan's press release, the bi-directional charging technology of the Nissan Leaf is currently the only fully electric vehicle in the US market that can supply energy to the grid that allows its owners with the car and Fermata Energy FE-15 bi-directional charger to power the building or home.
It has the potential to save money with a local electric utility and reduce the total cost of ownership of the vehicle. That means it is ideal for companies with a fleet of vehicles as it continuously monitors the electrical loads of the building and may draw power from the vehicle during expensive and high-demand periods.
According to The Verge, all Nissan Leaf model year 2013 and newer versions are approved for use with the FE-15 bi-directional charger. Moreover, Nissan said that this technology would not affect battery warranties. They need a quick-charging CHAdeMO port on the Leaf to take advantage of this technology.
These car models are said to be able to safely send energy stored in the battery to the grid when demands are high. Nissan Leaf owners interested in the FE-15 charger can contact Nissan through their website. Learn more about bidirectional charging through this video below from Autovista24:
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