The fourth annual Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Business, Policy & Technology Forum, held October 22-24, 2024, in Detroit, gathered industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders at the American Center for Mobility. With the growing demand for electrification and grid flexibility, this Fall’s conference highlighted cutting-edge advancements, ongoing projects, and collaborations in V2G technology. Here’s an overview of the forum’s key insights, demos, and emerging themes.

Tutorials & Collaborative Brainstorming

The forum began with a foundational workshop on V2G standards, offering insights into the technical nuances of V2G infrastructure. Later in the day, participants engaged in a brainstorming session, exploring current barriers to V2G development. Attendees identified core challenges — ranging from regulatory hurdles to consumer education — and placed notes on various themes to spark interactive and ongoing discussions throughout the conference.

Demonstrations and Collaborative Panels

The second day included a series of engaging demos that showcased some of the most promising technologies in V2G. The featured demonstrations included:

• Heliox’s 44 kW Bidirectional DC Charger being tested with Keysight and Quality Logic automation tools: this setup demonstrated how the Keysight test equipment and Quality Logic software can expedite UL 1741-SB testing for faster certification.
• Wallbox, Kia, and Weavegrid Collaboration: A hands-on demo of Wallbox’s  Quasar 2 charger paired with the Kia EV9 and Weavegrid’s control software. This setup illustrated residential V2G’s potential by dynamically balancing home load with EV discharge, effectively achieving zero grid draw.
• Fermata Energy commercial V2G deployment: Fermata Energy gave a live demonstration of the Fermata Energy’s FE-20 bidirectional charger, showcasing Demand Charge Management (DCM) capabilities. This demonstration featured  a Nissan LEAF and FE-20 charger at a commercial electronics manufacturing facility and showed how DCM events work in real-time, addressing audience questions on grid interaction, incentives, and system sizing.
• Eaton’s Off-Grid Home Load Centers: Eaton showcased its home load centers, which enable Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities and grid islanding — ideal for enhancing grid resilience and minimizing installation costs.
  

Insights from Panels and Networking

Sessions included discussions with stakeholders from major OEMs, utilities, and technology providers on challenges and timelines for V2G adoption. One particularly insightful session explored the projected tipping point for mainstream V2G adoption, with some predicting a breakthrough by 2029. Additional highlights included:

• Utility Planning for V2G: Presenters addressed how V2G integration must be carefully managed to prevent utility disruptions. Practical strategies for balancing grid demand, particularly in high-penetration areas, were key focal points.
• Cybersecurity and Standards for V2G-AC: The Southern California Edison EPIC-funded V2G-AC project held a session of the three Technical Advisory Board subcommittees. A key aspect of this session detailed V2G’s cybersecurity needs and ongoing standards developments. Key takeaways included updates on security protocols and a review of gaps in current standards, emphasizing interoperability across platforms.

Policies and Programs

The final day focused on regulatory developments, federal tax incentives, and academic perspectives on the future of V2G. Noteworthy presentations included an overview of tax credits 30C and 45X, aimed at promoting charger installations, and an exploration by Dr. Willett Kempton of the 26-year history of V2G research by the University of Delaware and others.

Moving V2G Forward

The V2G Forum provided a platform for essential dialogues on advancing V2G technology. With practical demonstrations, insightful discussions, and collaborative problem-solving, the forum highlighted the progress being made in V2G technology and the importance of policy alignment, cybersecurity, and standardization. Fermata Energy’s robust V2X system continues to position us as a key player in the industry, supporting partnerships and addressing grid needs nationwide.

Stay tuned for more updates from our team and mark your calendars for the next V2G Forum coming up in April 2025 in Oakland, California!