Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), a leading power utility serving a population of 7 million in North Delhi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) to collaborate on a pioneering Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Demonstration Project. The agreement was formalised on May 15, 2024, in Delhi.
The MoU was signed by Mr Gajanan S. Kale, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Power-DDL, and Reji Kumar Pillai, President of the India Smart Grid Forum, in the presence of Praveen Agrawal, Chief HR & IR of Tata Power-DDL, Reena Suri, Executive Director of the India Smart Grid Forum, and Vivek Kumar, Manager of Technical Services at the India Smart Grid Forum.
The Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Demonstration pilot project aims to showcase the fundamentals of how electric vehicles (EVs) can interact with the grid, exploring innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions within the transportation and energy sectors. The initiative will delve into the intricacies of bi-directional energy supply between electric vehicles and the grid, investigating the potential of EVs to provide essential grid services such as frequency and voltage support.
Additionally, the project will assess the viability of EVs as backup power sources during outages and examine the impact of bi-directional charging on the grid. Furthermore, it will explore how EVs can participate in the power market by storing electricity when prices are low and selling it back during peak hours, as well as test the feasibility of charging EVs with green electricity.
Commenting on the collaboration, Gajanan S. Kale, CEO of Tata Power-DDL, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to join hands with India Smart Grid Forum on this innovative project. The initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions and fostering a future-ready grid. The project holds immense potential to revolutionise the way we manage our power grids and integrate EVs seamlessly.”
Reji Kumar Pillai, President of the India Smart Grid Forum, highlighted the significance of the project, saying, “This collaboration with Tata Power-DDL is a crucial step towards integrating EVs into the smart grid ecosystem. The project will not only showcase the technical capabilities of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) but also explore its commercial viability, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future.”
Notably, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, Central Electricity Authority, and Tata Motors are observers of this demonstration project, while the V2G technology partner is the University of Delaware, USA. The collaboration aims to align different stakeholders in the project to facilitate the launch of V2G-compliant EVs in India and support the issuance of relevant regulations.
The collaboration between Tata Power-DDL and the India Smart Grid Forum underscores Tata Power-DDL’s commitment to pioneering advanced energy solutions and supporting the development of a sustainable energy ecosystem.