Eaton to build a microgrid pilot project trialling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications in Switzerland.
The project comprises EV charging stations on the Y-PARC industrial and commercial site in Yverdon-les-Bains.
It will explore several modes of controlling power flows and pricing to demonstrate the potential that V2G technology has to relieve pressure on the Swiss grid at times of high demand, and help the integration of more renewable energy sources.
Eaton will provide the charging stations, starting with 25 of which five will be bidirectional with long-term plans to increase the total number of charging stations to 250 and install a solar PV array.
If the project eventually reaches 250 aggregated bi-directional charging stations, that would be one of the largest V2G projects in Europe.
V2G technology holds massive potential considering the number and combined size of EV batteries operational currently, but complex regulatory, logistic and financial modelling challenges remain.