China will initiate pilot programs in nine cities to integrate electric vehicles (EVs) into the power grid, allowing them to store energy and feed it back during peak demand, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the country’s energy regulator announced on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to enhance the stability of the electricity grid as EV adoption rises, addressing concerns that growing demand could strain generation and transmission systems.
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The majority of the 30 projects across cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, will focus on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology.
Under the program, EVs will act as mobile energy storage units, adjusting their charging times to avoid peak load periods and providing services such as frequency regulation. “Providing those services could potentially become an alternative revenue stream for homeowners or operators of charging stations,” the NDRC stated in its notice.
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The plan places power grid companies in charge of implementation, with provincial governments leading the development of charging infrastructure. The energy regulator will oversee the participation of grid-connected vehicles in electricity trading markets.
The NDRC had previously outlined its ambition to establish more than 50 pilot projects by 2025. However, industry analysts note that widespread adoption of V2G technology still faces challenges, including the need for viable business models and improvements in battery technology.
