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Key Takeaways from the V2G Forum in San Diego: Optimizing the Customer Experience

San Diego Gas & Electric recently played host to the third V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum in just over 12 months, attracting around 120 attendees from various sectors of the EV and energy industries. The conference delved deeply into the evolving landscape of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology and policy, with a central focus on optimizing the customer experience. Here's a recap of the key takeaways from the Fermata Energy team:

One of the recurring themes at the forum was the progress on V2G standards. While advancements are being made, the pace has been slower than many in the industry would like. The discussions highlighted the need for more consistent and accelerated efforts to establish standards that assure interoperability and thereby help foster  adoption of V2G technology.

The forum also featured in-depth discussions on the merits and challenges of V2G-DC (Direct Current) versus V2G-AC (Alternating Current). Each approach has its drawbacks and benefits, and both are likely to be present in the market in some fashion for the foreseeable future. At present, V2G-AC with a “roaming inverter” is not an option for utility interconnection in the North American market. As standards for V2G-AC progress, specifically UL 1741-SC and SAE J3072, it should be possible for V2G-AC solutions to receive permission to interconnect with and discharge to the grid. Currently, the path for V2G-AC in North America is via pairing a specific vehicle with a specific charger and certifying that paired combination to meet required grid codes. The path for V2G-DC is much clearer as the charger in V2G-DC can be certified to meet grid interconnection requirements directly.

The State of Bidirectional Chargers and EVs

Another significant topic was the current state of bidirectional chargers and electric vehicles capable of supporting V2G functionalities. While there has been some progress, the market is still in its early stages. Manufacturers and stakeholders are working diligently to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and affordability of these technologies to make them more accessible to consumers. Currently, however, there are only a few bidirectional (V2G-DC) EVSE listed on the California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) V2G Equipment List (V2GEL). Hopefully more will be added in the coming months and throughout 2025 and beyond. As for vehicles, several OEMs have announced bidirectionally capable vehicles, but many of these are restricted to off-grid (power backup) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) operations. The number of vehicles that are standards based and interoperable with bidirectional chargers, and that can be used bidirectionally to the grid, is still very limited.

A major focus of the conference was on scaling V2G solutions and effectively engaging customers. Speakers and panelists shared strategies for increasing customer adoption, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and education in demonstrating the tangible benefits of V2G systems. Understanding customer preferences and addressing their concerns were highlighted as critical factors for success.

Expanding Perspectives: Beyond California and Europe

The forum recognized the need to bring in utilities from outside California, as the conference has met twice in California and is somewhat California centric. There was also a strong call for incorporating more European perspectives, both technical and policy-related. North America has been lagging other regions in the world in the adoption of V2G technology. The insights of regulators and technology developers from around the world may bring valuable insights and lessons that can be adapted to the North American context.

Looking Ahead: Next Conference in Michigan

The next V2G Forum is scheduled for October 2024 in Michigan. This upcoming event aims to build on the momentum from San Diego, with plans to further diversify the range of perspectives and continue the vital conversations around customer-centric V2G solutions.

Looking ahead to October, participants noted that they would like to see more diverse perspectives, including actual customer participation in panels, more participation from European and international V2G solutions providers, more participation from regulators, and participation from more utilities outside of California. In addition, efforts are underway to include opportunities to showcase demonstrations and hands-on examples of V2G technology during the next gathering at the American Center for Mobility in Michigan.

The overarching theme of this year's V2G Forum was clear: understanding and optimizing the customer experience is paramount. As the industry navigates the complexities of standards, technology options, and market engagement, keeping the customer's needs and preferences at the forefront will be key to driving successful adoption and satisfaction in V2G technology. We look forward to continuing these important discussions and seeing how the industry evolves in the coming months.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we prepare for the next V2G Forum in Michigan this October!