Bi-Directional Charging made easy

Bi-directional charging is the next stage in smart energy management.

This new technology is also referred to as Vehicle-to-Grid, V2G, or V2X and was developed to increase efficiency, reduce energy costs, and ease the strain on the national grid.

How conventional EV charging works

Conventional EV charging works by helping energy flow to your vehicle. Energy flows from the national power grid to a property, from a property to the EV charger, and then from the EV charger to your vehicle. The EV Charger controls the energy supply into the vehicle. Once charged the driver can unplug their vehicle and drive away with a battery full of stored energy.

What about bi-directional charging?

Bi-directional charging is an innovative technology that allows an EV charger to not only charge a vehicle but also to reverse the process when needed, allowing the energy stored in the vehicle’s battery to flow back to the property, and even back to the grid.

This allows the stored energy from the vehicle(s) battery to be used to meet other demands when it is not needed by the vehicle. This helps increase efficiency, balance energy demand, and reduce energy costs.

For example,

• If the energy goes back to the property, it can help power appliances and equipment like machinery, refrigeration, and heating.
• If the property is a fleet hub, it can help power other fleet vehicles that need the energy more.
• In the event of a power outage, it can help power essential equipment.

This allows property managers to reduce the amount of energy their property requires from the grid, increasing their efficiency and reducing the requirement for upgrading power supplies from the grid and expensive distribution network operator (DNO) fees.

Benefits of Bi-directional charging

Reduced energy costs

• If the stored energy goes from the vehicle back to the grid, it can help alleviate high energy demands during peak times of the day or week.
• Energy managers can oversee how to distribute energy locally to reduce the running costs of their facility.
• With bi-directional charging, EVs can be another energy source alongside solar panels, wind power, and local battery storage.

Bi-directional charging technology makes this possible by helping re-direct energy from vehicles to where it is needed most.

Integrated Energy Management Systems

For property owners looking to increase efficiency even further or reduce their reliance on the national grid, bi-directional charging can integrate seamlessly with solar panels, wind turbines, and local battery storage. This offers the potential to operate entirely off-grid for periods of time.

Are you ready for bi-directional charging? As more and more energy companies and vehicles start adopting the latest innovative technology.

Blink Charging offers expert guidance and EV chargers capable of intelligent energy management that can help reduce costs and achieve net zero carbon together.

To find out more, visit BlinkCharging.co.uk