Western Power Distribution’s (WPD) V2G trial, run with CrowdCharge, has now also partnered with Igloo Energy.
The energy supplier is developing a flexibility product range and forms part of the V2G scheme, which will include four energy partners rather than one. This has been done to offer a more realistic simulation of a future world in which many streets will have a number of EVs using V2G chargers with different energy suppliers, according to WPD.
Twenty-five of the 100 applicants on the Electric Nation V2G trial will be offered the opportunity to join the project with the Igloo Energy and CrowdCharge proposition. The Igloo Pioneer tariff will suit participants who prefer simple energy tariffs.
For the electricity system to function effectively, electricity suppliers need to predict customers’ demand, and purchase energy from generators. Igloo will send preferences to the CrowdCharge platform, which connects to the participant’s V2G charger. These preferences will tailor the charging schedule to help Igloo align generation and supply.
Participants will be eligible to receive free miles of electricity up to a maximum reward benefit of £12 per month. This means some participants could earn up to 4,000 free miles of electricity during the one-year operational trial period.
Matt Clemow, CEO and founder of Igloo Energy, said: “At Igloo we are always looking for ways to help people save energy and reduce their carbon footprint, and V2G charging offers electric vehicle owners an opportunity to achieve both. Alongside our efforts to help homes transition from fossil fuel heating systems to low carbon systems such as air source heat pumps, helping households get the best value when using their electric vehicle is crucial, especially as their adoption grows.”
WPD’s DSO development manager Paul Jewell added: “Working with more than one electricity supplier will enable us to see the different effects of approaches taken within the supply market and how they affect participants’ charging behaviour.
“From that we will gain a real insight into the way V2G customers will affect the demands on the network, which we can build into our planning.
“V2G has the potential to help manage the peaks and troughs on the network, which will enable us to connect more Low Carbon Technologies, which will help us meet Net Zero targets.”
