Japanese automaker Nissan, one of the pioneers of the electric vehicle (EV) transition, will launch Nissan Energy Share in Japan next month, a branded energy management technology allowing for control of the charging and discharging of EV batteries.
Nissan Energy Share – which has been designed primarily for companies, businesses, and municipal governments – will provide intelligent energy management control of EV vehicles and fleets.
As Nissan explains, “EV batteries do more than power vehicles” and are “capable of directly powering buildings and communities.”
Vehicle to grid (V2G) and vehicle to home (V2H) technology has been an important secondary benefit of the ongoing transition to electric mobility, allowing vehicles to provide power to homes, back to the grid during times of high demand, or for tools and equipment on worksites or in emergencies.
This same bidirectional charging technology also allows power utilities to coordinate charging periods to minimise impact on the larger grid. Similarly, individuals all the way up to fleet managers can prioritise charging times to wait for cheaper power prices, or offer the energy stored in their electric vehicles back to the grid akin to a virtual power plant.
The new Nissan Energy Share technology has been designed to help smooth the way for operators. Consisting of a charge-discharge controller which is connected to charging or charge-and-discharge units, Nissan Energy Share is able to predict EV energy usage, obtaining real-time information on a vehicle’s remaining charge as well as energy use in buildings.
Nissan Energy Share then autonomously determines the optimal time to charge or discharge, allowing for energy load shifting and peak shaving without having to compromise on the performance or comfort of the EV.
Moreover, when connected to solar panels, users can directly consume off-grid renewable energy produced on site rather than relying on grid power.
In addition to the technological components of the system, Nissan Energy Share provides customers with a range of support including optimal solutions, selection of equipment, installation vendors, and help in applying for subsidies.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.