What the ACT Government terms a “world-first project” demonstrated how Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) services could be technically and economically viable in Australia.
In 2020, the ACT Government trialled Realising Electric Vehicles to Grid Services (REVS): electric vehicles (51 Nissan Leaves) and chargers transferred power back and forth into the grid, as required, showing how EVs could regulate frequency in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
This was part of the government’s commitment to an electric vehicle fleet and 100 per cent renewable electricity, Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, said.
“This trial has demonstrated that fleet EVs could play a vital role in supporting our energy grid and in boosting energy security,” Mr Rattenbury said. “The insights gained from the past two years will be particularly beneficial during times of peak power usage as a way of balancing renewable energy delivered to the grid.
“In the future, we hope this can extend to Canberrans’ privately owned electric vehicles, providing EV owners with the opportunity to send energy stored in their car’s on-board battery back into their own homes or the electricity grid.
“South Australia has proven it is possible after becoming the first jurisdiction in Australia to approve a network connection of V2G services in a residential setting.”
The REVS project was co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the ACT Government and led by ActewAGL Retail in partnership with Evoenergy, Nissan, Jetcharge, SgFleet, the Australian National University, and Accenture.
The ACT Government remains committed to reducing transport emissions to create a healthier and more sustainable future for the ACT, Mr Rattenbury said. Transport is the single largest contributor to the Territory’s greenhouse gas emissions, making up more than 60 per cent of the total.
“Now that we have achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity in the ACT, we need to significantly reduce emissions from transport to reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2045,” Mr Rattenbury said.
To help Canberrans purchase an EV for their home or business, the government offers two years free registration, stamp duty exemption, and zero-interest loans as part of the Sustainable Household Scheme.
A dedicated Business Fleet Advisory Service advises Canberra businesses and community organisations how to transition their fleets to ZEVs.
- Free service to help ACT businesses buy electric vehicles (5 April 2022)
For more information on incentives for electric vehicles, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
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