The project, which is a first in Australia, could have a significant impact on the future of electric vehicle charging and energy storage in the country. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) has announced funding of $3.2 million to Amber Electric for a residential trial involving smart electric vehicle (EV) chargers and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. This trial will involve the installation of 100 smart chargers and 50 V2G points in participants’ homes to develop a software solution that facilitates EV smart charging and bi-directional charging.
The CEO of Arena, Darren Miller, stated that with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in Australia, this project will showcase new ways for consumers to benefit from their energy resources and promote the use of renewable energy. The trial will involve at least 1000 participants across several states over the next two years, with V2G implementation expected to begin in mid-2025. The funding for this project comes from the Federal Government’s Driving the Nation Fund, with a total of $97.4 million allocated by Arena towards decarbonizing the transport sector since 2020.
Amber’s co-CEO, Dan Adams, highlighted the transformative potential of this technology for energy storage in Australia. By integrating electric vehicles with the grid and the energy market, consumers can reduce costs and accelerate the shift towards renewable energy. The innovation allows customers to compete with traditional energy generators by intelligently managing the charging and discharging of their EV batteries, strengthening the energy infrastructure and promoting sustainability.
Insights from this trial are expected to influence policy decisions across Australia and encourage other industry players to adopt similar initiatives. A report funded by Arena emphasizes the benefits of V2G infrastructure when combined with supportive network tariffs, noting that bidirectional EV charging could be a cost-effective source of energy storage. This project has the potential to shape the future of electric vehicle charging and energy management in Australia, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient energy system.