Nissan and energy platform ChargeScape have launched a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, designed to ease strain on California’s power system as energy demand climbs with the growth of AI-focused data centers.
Backed by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support program, the pilot is taking place in Silicon Valley Power territory. At Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center, electric vehicle batteries will feed stored energy back into the grid during peak hours using bidirectional chargers from Fermata Energy. ChargeScape will coordinate with virtual power plant builder Leap to manage the discharges.
“Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles can reinforce our communities’ electrical needs and deliver meaningful benefits to drivers,” said Rich Miller, vice president of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan US.
Leap CEO Jason Michaels said the project demonstrates how EVs could become part of the wider energy transition. “Activating these vehicles as flexible, dispatchable grid resources is a game-changing tool to help utilities manage higher loads and unlock economic growth while putting dollars back in the hands of ratepayers,” he said.
ChargeScape said the initiative will help prepare for long-term reliability as AI accelerates electricity use in the region. Participating EV drivers will be compensated for returning power to the grid, an incentive the company believes could make electric vehicles more affordable over time.