Abstract:

There is a range of VGI (Vehicle-Grid Integration) benefits at different levels and for different stakeholders. It should be noted that, in order to realise these benefits, major technological interventions are required, which may have economic implications, along with a conducive regulatory ecosystem enabling the introduction of different market mechanisms to harness the full potential of VGI.

Studies across the world have indicated that EVs are not only an energy-efficient and cleaner mode of transport; they have considerable capacity to provide an inexpensive, flexible, and rapid response storage option. VGI enables EVs to participate in grid balancing schemes as generation or demand assets for grid operators. Furthermore, VGI facilitates grid frequency regulation, voltage profile improvement, and reliability improvement. The EV revolution in India has started. It is time for power utilities, regulators, EV market players, and policymakers to examine the interactions of EVs with the power system. VGI is a new frontier that the country should explore, but so far, there has been little initiative on the ground to research and implement this concept. There is, therefore, a need to investigate the suite of potential grid services from EVs, including their technical and economic aspects and the regulatory reforms required to implement these services and tap their benefits in the Indian context.

This study aims to present the evolving concept of Vehicle-Grid Integration and its different elements and analyse the feasibility of its implementation in the Indian context. Moreover, this report provides specific guidance on VGI implementation in India. To this end, the study includes the following: (1) Review of the flagship pilot projects on VGI carried out in different parts of the world, drawing key learnings from these pilots' outcomes; (2) Techno-economic assessment of VGI; (3) Consultation with key stakeholders whose decisions and actions would influence the implementation of VGI in India; (4) Examination of the regulatory framework necessary for realising VGI and the adequacy of existing Indian power sector regulations to support VGI; (5) Development of recommendations for a VGI implementation roadmap in India