The Parker Project: Cross-Brand Service Testing Using V2G

Abstract

The Parker project sought to experimentally validate that contemporary series-produced electric vehicles (EVs), capable of V2G, are ready to participate in a number of advanced grid services. In such services, the timing, size and direction of power and energy exchanged between the EV battery and grid is controlled as to support either a single building, the local neighborhood or the regional power system. Vehicles purposely designed for such services are referred to as grid integrated electric vehicles (GIVs). The field of research, describing how GIVs may be used to actively support the power system, is called Vehicle–Grid Integration (VGI).The purpose of this paper is to present how the Danish Parker project has systematically categorized a range of grid services, collected in a service catalog, and then illustrate state-of-the-art EVs ability to support such services through experimental validation. Results are presented for three different tests performed in Parker; marginal emission factor charging, frequency containment reserves and a performance test for controlling power setpoints. The ultimate aim of this paper, and the Parker project, is to promote the GIV concept so that it may inform the design and capabilities of present and future EVs, EV supply equipment (EVSE) and communication standards.

The rise of electric vehicles—2020 status and future expectations

“…Regulatory changes may be required to enable distribution-network operators and EV owners (or aggregators) to take a more active role in electricity markets. The Parker project, an experimental project on balancing services from an EV fleet, underlines some of the barriers to providing ancillary services, such as metering requirements (Andersen et al 2019). It is argued that insufficient regulatory action might keep us from attaining the full economic and environmental benefits of V2G (Thompson and Perez 2020) and that regulations are lagging behind technological developments (Freitas Gomes et al 2020).…”

A comprehensive review on electric vehicles smart charging: Solutions, strategies, technologies, and challenges

“…The practical V2G implementation includes V2G pilot projects and V2G commercial projects. A V2G mechanism for providing frequency containment reserve service has been successfully implemented in a pilot V2G project, namely the Parker project located in Denmark [236]. The project includes four EV models, including Nissan Evalia, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot iOn, and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.…”

Communication Technologies for Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Survey

“…EVs can reduce the energy demand in peak load hours by consuming, storing, and returning energy when needed. EVs can also be used as back up power or in islanded operation if connection to the grid is not possible [ 43 , 44 ]. These applications require bidirectional communication between the utilities and the EVs.…”