System-level demonstration of vehicle-to-home integration with a mass-market EV

• Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) portends an attractive electric vehicle customer attribute. • Laboratory and field tests reveal efficiency and a need for standardization. • A test procedure is proposed for bidirectional performance and V2H interoperability. While niche pickup vehicles offer vehicle-to-home (V2H) services during a grid outage with dedicated (OEM specific) energy management systems, the Kia EV9 introduces a mass market conventional vehicle capable of V2H whether grid tied or during a grid outage, and the Wallbox Quasar 2 EVSE introduces a generic bidirectional charger independent of the OEM. The present study explores the future of a mass market V2H deployment through simulation, controlled tests in laboratory, and field tests in a model home. For simulation, a home energy management system model was developed to understand the attributes of introducing V2H into homes equipped with photovoltaics and home batteries. The controlled laboratory and field tests were conducted to (1) evaluate the potential of V2H applications as a distributed energy resource (DER), (2) identify challenges in integrating V2H into home energy systems, and (3) examine use cases, such as load following and DERs compatibility. The simulation results revealed the efficacy of V2H in supporting home loads during periods when other DERs are insufficient or utility rates are high, and the role of dwell time. The controlled laboratory results revealed roundtrip efficiencies ranging from 67 % to 81 % at power levels from 2.6 to 11.5 kW, falling rapidly below 80 % when operating the EVSE below its maximum power level. The field tests revealed that the response time and control inoperability impact the compatibility of V2H and other DERs, and the mass market deployment of V2H will benefit by home management systems that integrate a universal inverter and control of all DER.