ABSTRACT
Vehicle-to-grid is a novel concept that enables a bidirectional flow of electricity between EVs (electric vehicles) and the grid. There are colossal research and commercial opportunities in this space, from providing support during periods of grid instability to revenue generation during inactivity. In this chapter, I explain my non-linear route into this area, from architecture degree to systems engineering, via renewable energy systems research. I have always found the practical and commercial applications for technology research of most interest, and so my research focuses on the commercial opportunities for various renewable and adjacent technologies – photovoltaics, heat pumps, solar thermal, electric vehicles as battery storage and vehicle-to-grid (V2G). The core focus of my research to date has been on the applications and critical considerations for vehicle-to-grid, specifically the impact of user behaviour on the business case. Detail on early research into the techno-economic analysis of V2G develops into the commercial relevance of the research later in the chapter, through the context of EV8 Technologies. The final section explains areas of novelty within the research field and the benefits of removing barriers to EV uptake on global carbon reduction targets.
