The Vehicle-to-Grid programme will explore how electric vehicles can support the country’s energy needs during peak times.
Singapore – A pilot programme launching in November will explore how the batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) can help meet peak demand on Singapore’s electricity grid. This initiative, called the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programme, was made possible through a grant from the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to a consortium led by transport operator Strides.
The pilot, which will run for three years in Punggol, involves 15 commercial vans and 10 V2G-enabled EV chargers. The V2G technology allows EV batteries to both draw power from the grid and discharge stored energy back into it when needed, turning EVs into mobile energy-storage units.
EMA estimates that Singapore’s system peak demand will rise by 6.5% annually from 2023 to 2028, driven by sectors like digital economy, high-tech farming, and vehicle electrification. As more EVs are adopted, the V2G technology could become a significant contributor to managing peak loads.
The V2G programme will also allow fleet operators to earn money by selling excess energy stored in EV batteries back to the grid during peak periods. The pilot will assess the viability of this technology on a larger scale and explore its potential business case for fleet operators. Additionally, it will study the impact on EV batteries from frequent charging and discharging cycles.
Strides is working on a fleet management system to track EV statuses and optimize schedules to ensure the fleet can efficiently provide grid services. The V2G system is seen as part of Singapore’s strategy towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, supporting the Long-Term Low-Emissions Development Strategy.
