Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and ChargeScape have announced testing of new vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology enabling electric vehicles to power homes during power outages, together with partners Ford, Kia and Wallbox.
The innovative demonstration will enable participants with bidirectional capable electric vehicles, initially including the Ford F-150 Lightning and Kia EV9 models, to use their vehicle batteries as backup power sources for their homes while simultaneously supporting grid reliability during peak demand periods. The demonstration, which launched last month, represents a significant milestone in ensuring reliable electricity and reflects PSE’s commitment to exploring cutting-edge solutions that benefit both customers and the broader electrical grid.
“This partnership with ChargeScape positions PSE at the forefront of energy innovation in the Pacific Northwest,” said John Mannetti, PSE Director of Customer Energy Innovation. “By turning electric vehicles into distributed energy resources, we’re not just providing customers with backup power – we’re creating a more resilient and flexible grid that can better serve our entire community.”
The V2H technology will allow participating customers to maintain power during outages with electricity from their EV battery, reduce energy costs by storing cheaper off-peak electricity in their EV batteries, and help improve reliability in the community during high-stress times for the grid.
ChargeScape, the automaker-backed vehicle-grid integration platform, brings proven experience managing EV charging programs across millions of households nationwide. The company’s platform officially connects original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with power utilities through secure, industry-standard protocols.
Read more about the project from PSE: PSE | PSE and ChargeScape launch Washington’s first demonstration using EVs to power residential homes