Singapore tests vehicle-to-grid technology

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Institute of Technology (SIT) in Singapore are funding a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) project, the largest in the country, to help ease congestion on the power grid.

The two have awarded a grant, under the EMA-SIT Exploiting Distributed Generation (EDGE) programme, to a consortium led by Singapore-based mobility solutions developer Strides, to develop and test-bed Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology to provide grid services.

This will be Singapore’s largest V2G test-bed conducted with 15 commercial vans and 10 V2G-enabled EV chargers.

Starting November 2023, Strides will begin the pilot project in the Punggol region. Strides will also develop a fleet management system to track the status of EVs and optimise the fleet schedules to enable them to provide grid services.

Findings from the test bed will provide insights into the technological, commercial and regulatory feasibility of V2G in Singapore.

Vehicle-to-grid tech

V2G technology allows EVs to be transformed into dynamic assets by harnessing electricity stored in the vehicle’s battery.

V2G not only enables dynamic charging of EVs in response to grid conditions but can also discharge electricity back to the grid when needed. This bidirectional flow of electricity may help alleviate supply tightness and improve power system stability by better balancing electricity demand and supply.

On the V2G test bed, Ngiam Shih Chun, chief executive of EMA, said: “With its ability to facilitate bidirectional transfer of electricity, V2G technology has untapped potential that can support the grid in new ways.

“If successful, the test-bed will enable Singapore to increase the use of innovative technologies to intelligently manage electricity demand and unlock the potential of large-scale V2G adoption in future.”

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Driven by the growth of electricity-intensive sectors such as digital economy, advanced manufacturing, high-tech farming and vehicle electrification, system peak demand in Singapore is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of up to 6.5% from 2023 to 2028, states the SIT.

By leveraging V2G technology, EVs could potentially be tapped on to manage the increased peak electricity demand.

Associate professor Susanna Leong, vice president of applied research at SIT, said: “As Singapore’s University of Applied Learning, SIT is focused on nurturing next-generation technologies to address the challenges in energy and sustainability, and to drive the efficient and innovative use of clean energy.

“Collaborating with the industry on translational research and through the EDGE programme, we aim to leverage SIT’s microgrid capabilities to test new technologies and solutions with Strides, while providing SIT students with the opportunity to work with industry partners.”

Launched in 2019, the S$20 million ($14.6 million) EDGE programme by EMA and SIT focuses on developing innovative power engineering projects and building capabilities that would support Singapore’s transition to a more sustainable future.

Under this partnership, companies and researchers from all Institutes of Higher Learning have the opportunity to participate in grant calls and develop new technologies and capabilities to build a more sustainable, reliable and resilient energy system.