China to Launch Groundbreaking Grid-Connected EV Projects to Strengthen Power Supply
China is set to roll out pioneering pilot projects in nine cities, leveraging its expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet as dynamic assets to bolster the nation’s power grid during peak demand periods.
This innovative initiative, announced by the government on Wednesday, aims to seamlessly integrate EVs into the energy infrastructure, offering a solution to the looming challenge of grid stability as electric vehicle adoption accelerates.
Following the introduction of new regulations by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) last year, which emphasize the need for new energy vehicles (NEVs) to work in tandem with the grid, the pilot programs in major urban centers like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou will focus on the revolutionary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
This cutting-edge system turns EVs into mobile batteries, storing excess power and feeding it back into the grid when demand surges.
In addition to providing backup power, these grid-connected vehicles will play an active role in optimizing charging schedules to avoid peak demand times, and they will be capable of offering services such as frequency regulation to stabilize the grid.
This development could also unlock new economic opportunities, with owners of electric vehicles or charging stations potentially earning revenue by participating in grid services.
The NDRC’s ambitious roadmap envisions over 50 such pilot projects by 2025, but there are still technical and economic hurdles to overcome. Key challenges include refining battery technology and establishing viable business models to make these projects sustainable.
Moreover, power grid companies will take the lead in implementing these initiatives, while provincial governments will spearhead the expansion of necessary charging infrastructure.
This move marks a significant step toward realizing China’s vision of a more resilient, sustainable energy system, where electric vehicles don’t just help reduce carbon emissions, but also become integral players in the management of national energy resources.
