Standards Australia has instituted a new standard that will allow EV owners to begin using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, The Driven reports.
“If you’ve got a car with V2G capability and a bidirectional device, you could be using that car to power your house before the end of this year,” Federal Energy and Climate Minister Chris Bowen said in a speech to an EV conference in Sydney.
Companies can now have their bidirectional devices tested for compliance with the revised standard, then apply to the Clean Energy Council to have their devices assessed and listed. Once listed, distribution networks can then confirm that they can be plugged into their local grids.
A series of trials across the country has helped satisfy grid operators and network owners that the technology can be safely deployed without adverse impacts on the grid.
Mr. Bowen said the new standard will help ensure that consumers have the right tools, technology and rules to control their energy resources and maximize the benefits of V2G for themselves and for the grid.
“When you pick your next EV, you won’t be buying just a car, you’ll be buying a household battery on wheels,” Bowen said. “It’s not going to happen overnight for everyone. Not every manufacturer is at the same place, but it’s now going to be enabled in our system, so it’s a really important step forward.”
Source: The Driven