DER provider Sunverge Energy and ENGIE have announced the deployment of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) virtual power plant (VPP) that will support Flinders University’s EV business fleet.
The project consists of Wallbox Quasar bi-directional EV charging systems, most of which will be aggregated to utilise the V2G services and the remaining to be used for fast-charging EV solutions.
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The project was developed by ENGIE to demonstrate the commercial application of bi-directional EV smart charging systems in support of the university’s business fleet electrification, microgrid operations, wholesale market participation, as well as wider market adoption.
ENGIE received funding from the South Australian Government’s EV Smart Charging and V2G Trials Program as part of the development of the project.
ENGIE Australia and New Zealand director of transport and green mobility Greg Schumann said, “We’re very excited to partner with Flinders University and Sunverge on this groundbreaking and innovative project.
“This V2G VPP showcases the flexibility and reliability that V2X services can provide for fleet operators and grid operators alike.”
In addition to serving the transportation needs of the university’s faculty and students, the project leverages Sunverge’s DER control, orchestration, and aggregation platform to operate in the AEMO market as a multi-service VPP that delivers a variety of grid services including wholesale price arbitrage, peak demand management, and optimisation of behind-the-meter generation supply and local demand.
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Sunverge CEO Martin Milani said, “The electrification of fleets promises to not only decarbonise much of the transportation sector, but also provide new sources of value for fleet operators and the electric grid through the control, optimisation and aggregation of DERs, in this case fleet of EV batteries and solar energy.
“As government, businesses, and other organisations continue to electrify large fleets, this project demonstrates the commercial potential of aggregating and utilising this new and game changing source of DERs.”
