Honda E Test Drive and Savings

Honda R&D Europe (Deutschland) GmbH, the advanced research and development division of Honda, has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. Collaborating with Next Kraftwerke GmbH, one of Europe’s largest Virtual Power Plant (VPP) operators, Honda has become the first automaker in Europe to obtain certification for a fleet of mass-produced electric vehicles (EVs) in relation to prequalification of frequency containment reserve (FCR) by Ampiron GmbH in Germany.

When it comes to addressing short-term frequency deviations in the power grid, service operators heavily rely on balancing services that automatically intervene to restore the equilibrium between power supply and demand. Among these balancing services, FCR stands out as the highest performance class for grid stabilization, also known as primary control reserve, as it acts as the initial response to frequency disturbances.

In the pilot project, Honda employed mass-produced Honda e EVs that met the criteria for supporting grid stability by instantly providing FCR to the Transmission System Operator (TSO). The trial involved a fleet of six Honda e vehicles and six Honda Power Manager bi-directional CCS chargers. During this experimental phase, Honda successfully fulfilled the demanding requirements for charging and discharging, which are crucial in maintaining a stable 50Hz grid frequency.

By utilizing real-time data from Next Kraftwerke regarding current power capacity, Honda’s own power management system promptly responds to the TSO’s charging and discharging commands for each individual vehicle. Moreover, the system takes into account the unique state-of-charge (SOC) preferences of each EV driver.

This technological advancement represents a crucial step toward enhancing the role of EVs and bi-directional charging technology within future sustainable energy systems. As renewable energy sources continue to expand, ensuring consistent grid stability will become one of the major challenges for Transmission System Operators (TSOs).

Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, stated, “The collaboration with Next Kraftwerke enables Honda to meet the evolving demands of the European market and fulfill its commitment to developing technologies that create value for society. Typically, EVs spend most of the day parked and connected to charging stations at offices and driveways. Honda has recognized that these idle periods can be better utilized to offer additional services and generate revenue through smart charging and discharging based on the current power grid frequency. This not only benefits EV owners but also the surrounding infrastructure as we transition into a society driven by e-mobility.”

Introducing Honda Power Manager
Honda Power Manager is a bidirectional system that establishes a connection between EVs and a smart power grid, enabling the exchange and distribution of electricity between the two entities. This innovation allows for intelligent balancing of energy supply and demand, optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. Its functions include regulating power to stabilize the grid during periods of high demand, minimizing bottlenecks in energy distribution, and reducing the necessity for costly grid expansions as the demand for EV charging grows.

In a recent trial, Honda collaborated with the V2X Suisse consortium to showcase the vital role of EVs and bidirectional charging technology in future energy management. For this pioneering experiment, Honda provided 50 Honda e cars and 35 Honda Power Manager units to support Mobility, a car-sharing operator, with vehicle-to-grid (V2X) energy recovery capabilities across various locations in Switzerland.

A Closer Look at the Honda e
The Honda e is an award-winning, all-electric vehicle that excels in urban environments. This stylish city car boasts a range of unique features, including a lounge-inspired interior, seamless connectivity, and the latest Honda SENSING suite of advanced driver assistance systems. With a WLTP range of 120 miles and rapid charging capabilities, the Honda e is specifically designed to meet the demands of everyday life.

Get More Great Car Videos – Subscribe: https://goo.gl/BSIaFc

You May Also Like