The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) – an Australian Government agency which aims to support the transition to net zero emissions – is investing $3.2 million into Amber Electric (Amber) to trial battery electric vehicle (BEV) smart charging and provision of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services with residential customers.
Amber, an energy provider and tech company, is developing a software solution to facilitate BEV smart charging and V2G bi-directional charging for its residential customers, including the installation of 100 smart chargers and 50 V2G chargers into participants’ homes.
At least 1000 customers will participate in the trial across the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA and VIC over the next two years with the V2G scope expected to kick-off in mid-2025. The solution will be built into Amber’s existing customer application.
The project is aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of their wholesale electricity cost pass-through model when paired with optimised use of BEV chargers, rooftop solar and home batteries to increase customer savings and enable greater utilisation of renewable energy at times when it is generated.
Arena has said that insights gained through the project may inform policy across Australia and encourage other industry participants to follow in Amber’s efforts.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (July 2024)
24 July 2024