V2G, i.e. the car as an energy store for the home. How much can you earn? [answer]

Every new Nissan Leaf (2018) is equipped with V2G, Vehicle-to-Grid technology. What does it mean? Well, thanks to V2G, the car can either get energy from the grid or send it back to the grid. In some countries of the world, this means the possibility of additional income for the car owner. We won't make money in Poland, but we will be able to significantly reduce our electricity bills.

Table of contents

• V2G - how it works and what it gives
  • • 1. Status of prosumenta
    • 2. Bidirectional counter
    • 3. Dedicated V2G charger or Nissan xStorage energy storage.
  • Is it possible to make money on the energy given away by V2G? Or at least save some money?

According to the manufacturer, the new Nissan Leaf supports the V2G protocol as standard, that is, it can draw energy from the grid and return energy to the grid. However, in order for us to supply energy to the grid, three additional elements are needed.:

• prosument status,
• bi-directional counter,
• dedicated charger supporting V2G.

Let's talk about them in more detail.

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1. Status of prosumenta

"Prosumer" is a consumer who does not only consume. It is a recipient that can also produce electricity. To obtain the status of a prosumer, it is necessary to apply to the energy supplier and obtain such status. However, as we found out at Innogy Polska, the energy storage itself - the Nissan Leaf battery - is not enough to become a prosumer... An additional source of electricity is required, such as photovoltaic panels.

2. Bidirectional counter

A bi-directional counter costs nothing. According to the provisions of the law, the energy company is obliged to replace the meter with a bi-directional meter after obtaining the status of a prosumer, that is, a consumer that generates electricity.

3. Dedicated V2G charger or Nissan xStorage energy storage.

In order for our Nissan Leaf to return energy to the grid, one more element is needed: a dedicated charger that supports V2G or a Nissan xStorage energy storage device.

Who makes V2G chargers? Nissan already boasted of its cooperation with Enel in 2016, the prices for chargers for V2G had to be from 1 euro or about 000 zlotys. However, they are difficult to find in the market.

Cross section of an old Nissan Leaf plugged into a V2G (c) Enel bi-directional charger.

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On the other hand, the Nissan xStorage energy storage unit, which stores energy and allows you to charge an electric vehicle, is much more expensive. Created with Eaton Nissan xStorage costs at least 5 euros, which is equivalent to about 21,5 zlotys. – at least, that was the price announced at release.

Nissan xStorage 6 kWh (c) Nissan energy storage

Is it possible to make money on the energy given away by V2G? Or at least save some money?

In some European countries, a fully charged battery – for example from another PV plant or in a CHAdeMO charger – can be fed into the grid and the surplus must be accounted for financially. Thus, the car owner will earn on the return of energy.

In Poland, an amendment to the Renewable Energy Law of June 2017 (= November 2016) is currently in force, which makes We donate surplus to the network for free and we will not get any financial return from this account.. However, the kilowatt-hours entered into the network can be collected for free for the needs of the house. With small installations we get 80 percent of the energy fed into the grid, with larger ones we get 70 percent of the energy.

In other words: We won't make a dime from the energy imported from outside in the Leaf battery, but thanks to it we will be able to reduce our electricity bills.

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