E-mobility extends far beyond merely utilizing climate-neutral electricity from renewable sources for driving. Electric vehicle (EV) batteries serve as temporary storage, offering benefits beyond just vehicle owners. Bidirectional charging, a key aspect of e-mobility, presents opportunities to relieve distribution grids and enhance their flexibility. Power2Drive Europe, an international exhibition spotlighting charging infrastructure and e-mobility advancements, showcases the latest innovations in this field. As part of The smarter E Europe, the continent’s largest alliance of energy industry exhibitions, it is scheduled from June 19–21, 2024, at Messe München. Preceding the exhibition, the Power2Drive Europe Conference serves as the industry’s hub for experts, stakeholders, and thought leaders to exchange ideas and insights into the new mobility sector.
Bidirectional charging of EV traction batteries facilitates three main applications: Vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-building (V2B) solutions enable electricity storage and consumption within the user’s system, typically within private households or commercial entities, behind the meter. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) solutions integrate EVs into the power system, allowing them to provide flexibility services to the distribution grid by storing and feeding back electricity.
The potential of bidirectional charging is significant. A study by NRW.Energy4Climate and e-mobil BW projects that by 2035, Germany could have approximately 33 million battery electric vehicles on its roads, with an estimated 65 percent supporting bidirectional charging. This suggests a potential of around 7.6 million vehicles acting as mobile energy storage units, capable of supplying up to 380 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Notably, this capacity exceeds the demand for stationary battery storage by threefold, highlighting the substantial role of electromobility in facilitating renewable energy integration.
However, regulatory frameworks for V2G solutions are still in development. Markus Elsässer explains that “Bidirectional charging will be a decisive element of the energy transition. The technology has the potential of effectively taking the burden off distribution grids and making the more flexible.” Markus Fendt, Managing Director of The Mobility House, underscores the societal and economic significance of V2G applications. He notes that V2G bidirectional charging can significantly reduce grid redispatch costs and mitigate the need for grid expansion, fostering innovation within Germany’s automotive industry.
The growing importance of e-mobility within The smarter E Europe is evident. A survey reveals that one-third of trade visitors across all exhibitions within The smarter E Europe express interest in e-mobility. Consequently, the exhibition space for Power2Drive Europe has expanded by 80 percent compared to the previous year, reflecting the increasing recognition and demand for advancements in e-mobility technologies.
