Flexibility in energy: exploring the potential of bi-directional charging

Bi-directional charging is a technology that goes beyond simply refuelling electric vehicles (EVs). It allows EVs to not only use the car’s battery as an alternative to petrol or diesel for transport, but also supply electricity to homes and the grid, making them a central building block in the energy transition.

At E.ON, we are constantly exploring innovative solutions for the future of energy. In our Testing Lab in Essen, Germany, we are studying the usefulness and potential of various aspects of the future energy world – everything from how EV chargers cope with extreme hot and cold temperatures, how sustainable home technologies can work together to support a lower carbon – and more affordable – lifestyle, along with the value of smart solutions for nationwide energy networks.

If you have a solar system on your roof at home then it makes a lot of sense to charge the car with the sun’s energy that you have produced yourself on the roof. Then later in the evening when the sun is no longer shining you can feed that stored energy back into the house for use in the house.

Because an average car is only used for about two hours a day, the rest of the time it remains just parked and at this time we can manage the power in the car's battery to charge it smartly and call on it when needed to power the home.

That’s the bidirectional charging. It turns your car into a kind of mobile battery that not only draws electricity from the grid to give you cleaner miles of driving, but also makes the best use of any excess energy to cook dinner or heat your home.

This flexibility allows for a more efficient use of renewable energy and helps balance fluctuations in energy production and consumption.

But what about the concerns of running out of battery power? With bidirectional charging, users can specify how much charge their EV needs at any given time so it is ready for the next trip and ready to go when needed.

The benefits of bidirectional charging go beyond convenience. In pilot projects, we have found that using vehicle-to-home charging can save up to £350 at home. And with vehicle-to-grid charging, EV owners can earn money by supplying electricity back to the grid. By participating in the energy markets and making the best use of the flexibility of their EVs, users can earn up to £420. This means that by embracing bidirectional charging, users can potentially save up to £800.

At E.ON, we believe bidirectional charging has immense potential. That's why we have been actively involved in initiatives bringing together more than 150 European companies to identify challenges and develop concrete solutions to unlock the full potential of bidirectional charging for customers and the energy transition.

Bidirectional charging is a game-changer in the energy sector. It allows EVs to not only consume energy but also become a valuable asset in balancing energy production and consumption. With the ability to supply electricity to homes and the grid, EVs become part of a virtual power plant – with potentially thousands of other homes adding their individual ability to support the grid, storing and providing renewable energy when needed. This flexibility not only benefits the environment but also offers financial incentives for EV owners.