Nissan/DREEV Announce Fleet V2G

A few days ago EDF announced in a press release that:

EDF, through EDF Group subsidiary DREEV, has launched a new commercial charging service using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology in the UK, in partnership with Nissan. This means businesses can support the grid by consuming low carbon energy, and progress towards their net zero and decarbonisation targets, whilst reducing their costs.

The V2G technology developed by DREEV, which is a joint venture between EDF and Nuvve – the global leader in V2G technology, allows for two-way energy flow; both recharging an EV’s battery when electricity is at its cheapest, and discharging excess energy to sell back into the grid.

The EDF V2G offer is available for fleet owners of Nissan’s LEAF and e-NV200 models and will allow fleet customers to achieve around £350 savings per charger each year, which equates to approximately 9,000 miles of driving charge per year[1].

EDF’s V2G business solution includes:

  • The supply and installation of a two-way connected compact 11kW charger capable of fully charging a Nissan LEAF, depending on the battery model, in just 3 hours and 30 minutes – 50 per cent faster than a standard charger – with integrated DREEV technology.
  • A dedicated DREEV smart phone application, to define the vehicles’ driving energy requirements, track their state of charge in real time, and control charging at any time

I’m not entirely sure that I agree with the copywriter’s assertion stating “Nuvve – the global leader in V2G technology” though. Take a look at the image accompanying the press release:

I’d swear I’ve seen that picture somewhere before. In the background can be seen a wallbox bearing the ABB logo. It looks an awful lot like the unit pictured in this recent ABB video:

Perhaps I’ve blinked and missed it, but I don’t recall seeing the announcement of Nuvve’s takeover of ABB?

The DREEV/Nissan announcement concludes with:

The V2G business solution is now available in the UK. Businesses that are interested should visit https://www.edfenergy.com/electric-cars/vehicle-grid for more information.

ABB Announce 11 kW V2G Charging Station

In a press release a couple of days ago ABB announced that:

ABB Vehicle-to-Grid technology will set global benchmark for bi-directional charging with brand-new 11 kW station

ABB’s global e-mobility leadership has once again been underlined by the supply of its bi-directional charging technology to a Vehicle-To-Grid (V2G) partnership project.

As part of a contract with France’s DREEV, a joint venture between Électricité de France (EDF) and Nuvve, which specializes in intelligent charging for EVs, ABB will supply its brand-new 11 kW bi-directional charging technology, specially designed for V2G.

ABB’s solution integrated with DREEV software technology will enable EV drivers to export surplus power back to the grid. With potential to generate up to 20€/EV/month, V2G thereby reduces the total cost of ownership and further boosts the adoption of EVs. Bi-directional chargers also help smooth the flow of uneven generation of electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind.

According to Frank Muehlon, Head of ABB’s global business for E-mobility Infrastructure Solutions:

ABB is a global market leader in fast charging solutions. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support DREEV in its mission to actively participate in making the grid more resilient with V2G technology. Our cooperation with DREEV is one of the leading efforts worldwide to deploy real V2G technology to the field.

The press release suggests the new 11 kW units will be arriving here in the UK in the not too distant future:

Under the partnership, ABB will supply V2G bi-directional kiosks in France, followed by installations in the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and Germany.

The light and compact 11 kW charger delivers a quick and flexible charge and is fully compatible with current and future EVs. It meets the most stringent grid compliance requirements and is designed to be the global benchmark for V2G charging.

That strongly suggests that the ABB wallbox is already compliant with UK grid codes, which is excellent news! I wonder when we’ll be able to put one through its paces (dis)charging Lisa, our faithful 30 kW Nissan LEAF. She has been patiently waiting for such a device for quite some time now: