Hydro One and Peak Power to leverage two-way Vehicle-to-Home charging technology to provide backup power during outages

Ontario — Hydro One and Peak Power launched a pilot program to study the benefits of using electric vehicle (EV) charging technology to improve power resiliency and reliability for customers.

Two-way Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) charging technology will be installed at the homes of program participants to test the ability of EVs to act as batteries and provide back-up electricity through simulated power outages.

They say the technology has the potential to support the shift to electrification and a low-carbon economy for customers in Ontario. As part of building a grid for the future, the innovative pilot program will study how this technology can improve the reliability of Hydro One’s distribution system.

“Our partnership with Peak Power and the IESO will help us explore how this technology can lower costs and improve service for our customers,” said Jason Fitzsimmons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Officer, Hydro One.

“This V2H project will demonstrate how utilities and system operators can integrate intelligent cleantech to modernize their grid with cost-efficient software solutions,” said Matthew Sachs, Chief Operating Officer, Peak Power.

The pilot program is funded in part by the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) Grid Innovation Fund. The fund supports projects that either enable customers to better manage their energy consumption or reduce costs associated with maintaining reliable operation of the province’s grid.

Vehicle-to-Grid technology can cut costs and emissions and power a home for approximately three days, with enough battery in reserve to drive to a recharging site.