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In recent years, the global landscape for transportation and energy consumption has been undergoing a major shift, driven by a growing awareness of environmental sustainability and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Two key elements in this change are Electric Vehicles (EVs) and home energy storage systems. These technologies represent innovative solutions to address environmental concerns, increase energy efficiency, and revolutionize the way we power our homes and commute.
The Evolving Landscape of EVs and Home Energy Storage
Electric vehicles, often viewed as the future of transportation, are automobiles powered by electric motors and energy stored in batteries. Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that rely on fuel, EVs are powered by electricity, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced reliance on non-renewable resources. With advances in battery technology, EVs are becoming more powerful and affordable, offering increased driving ranges and faster charging, making them a real and sustainable alternative to conventional vehicles.
In parallel with the rise of EVs, home energy storage systems have emerged as key components of the modern energy landscape. These systems, typically composed of a controller and advanced batteries, provide storage for excess energy generated from renewable sources, such as solar panels, for later use. This facilitates more efficient use of renewable energy and provides homeowners with greater control over their energy consumption, reducing reliance on the power grid and lowering overall electricity costs.
The combination of electric vehicles and home energy storage contributes to the creation of a decentralized and sustainable energy ecosystem. As electric vehicles are more widely adopted, they not only provide a cleaner mode of transportation but also serve as energy storage units that can be integrated into the broader grid infrastructure. The possibility of a two-way energy flow between EVs and homes opens new avenues for energy resilience, grid stability, and a more dynamic and responsive energy infrastructure.
In this dynamic landscape of technological innovation, EVs and home energy storage are at the forefront of a sustainable energy revolution.
Charging EVs with Home Energy Storage
Home charging stations provide EV owners with the convenience of charging their vehicles overnight, eliminating the need for frequent visits to gas stations. The process becomes even more useful when coupled with home energy storage. This integration leverages the stored energy from renewable sources, such as solar panels, to charge EVs – contributing to a more sustainable and self-sufficient ecosystem.
Home energy storage systems play a crucial role by acting as a reservoir for surplus energy generated by renewable sources. Excess energy, which would otherwise go unused or be fed back into the grid, is stored in home batteries and is then readily available for charging EVs, thus optimizing the use of clean energy.
The advantages of charging EVs from home energy storage extend beyond mere convenience. This integration enhances grid resilience, as distributed energy storage systems contribute to load management and grid stability. Additionally, it supports energy independence for homeowners, reducing reliance on the power grid and providing a cost-effective alternative for charging electric vehicles.
FranklinWH's Home Power System
FranklinWH's whole home energy management and storage system is a powerful home power solution that intelligently manages home power to increase energy efficiency, maximize solar ROI, store power from multiple energy sources, and back up the whole home.
The FranklinWH energy system contains two primary components: aGate and aPower.
The aGate is an intelligent home energy management center that integrates solar, battery, grid, and generator power sources and manages them to optimize the safety, reliability, and efficiency of home energy.
The aPower is a 13.6 kWh AC-coupled battery. With up to 15 aPower batteries, 204 kWh of storage can be managed by a single aGate. The aPower uses extremely safe LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells.
Homeowners can use the FranklinWH App to monitor and control the system remotely. There are backup, load shifting, and self-consumption modes to best suit homeowners’ needs, providing optimized energy and backup power to the home, lowering electricity bills, or living completely off-grid.
Using EVs to Power Home Energy Systems
Using EVs to power the home is a new technology called Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) that expands home energy solutions by adding another potential source of power.
In V2H, an electric vehicle serves as a power backup for the home during outages or peak demand periods. The vehicle's battery can be utilized to power essential appliances, lighting, and other household devices, providing a resilient energy source in critical situations. A bidirectional charger is installed so power can be exchanged between the EV and the home, with each being able to charge the other depending on need.
The integration of EVs into the home expands the boundaries of energy consumption, adding more flexibility and sustainability.
aHub: The Future of Home Energy Management
aHub is a first-of-its-kind adapter that enables the connection of electric vehicles that boast vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities and 120V/240V portable generators to FranklinWH's home energy management system for V2H.
aHub works with EVs with V2L to add those vehicles as another potential home power source in an extended outage.
By working with portable generators, aHub also provides a cost-effective alternative to standby generators. When accounting for purchase price and installation costs, using aHub with a portable generator reduces Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by 50% to 70% when compared to standby generators.
The aHub makes homes safer by helping homeowners achieve new levels of energy freedom.
FAQs
1. What are the benefits of charging an electric vehicle (EV) using home energy storage?
Load Shifting and Cost Savings
EV owners can take advantage of time-of-use electricity pricing by charging their vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. In addition, excess solar production during the day may be used to charge the EV at night without paying for grid energy.
Grid Support and Stability
By integrating home energy storage with EV charging, homeowners can contribute to grid stability. This is particularly true if the system supports bidirectional charging, powering the home during prolonged outages.
Backup Power
Home energy storage systems can serve as backup power during grid outages. In addition to powering the home, stored energy can be used to charge the EV, providing a reliable source of transportation even when the grid is down.
2. How does charging an EV during off-peak hours affect the power grid and electricity costs?
Effects on the Power Grid
Charging EVs during off-peak hours means less pressure for the grid during peak hours, which will reduce peak demand, lower grid demand, and increase grid stability and efficiency.
Effects on Electricity Costs
Charging EVs during off-peak hours means lower costs for homeowners, avoiding peak rates, and balancing energy supply and demand.
3. Can I use solar energy to power both my home energy storage system and charge my EV? How does this work?
Yes. Energy generated by solar panels can be a power source to directly charge the EV, or it can charge the home energy storage which can charge the EV at night. Storage provides increased flexibility for the homeowner as well as increasing the value of the solar system.
4. What is the Franklin Home Power (FHP) system and how does it integrate with EV charging?
Franklin Home Power is a whole home energy management and storage system that integrates solar, grid, battery, and generator to provide robust backup power for the home, increasing solar ROI and home energy efficiency.
Franklin Home Power integrates with EV charging through a component called aHub. Through aHub, the FranklinWH system can charge the EV with the power stored in the battery storage. Meanwhile, EVs can also charge household loads directly through aHub, making EVs another power source for the home in times of emergency.
Final Thoughts
The convergence of home energy storage systems and electric vehicles represents a new synergy in sustainable energy solutions. This partnership is characterized by a range of benefits that extend beyond individual households, influencing the broader energy landscape and contributing to global efforts toward environmental responsibility.
Integrating EVs with home energy storage systems provides homeowners with a more complete and resilient energy solution, a step further towards energy freedom.
Energy Independence with FranklinWH
As a leading technology in home energy solutions, FranklinWH keeps on improving to bring energy freedom to more households. With the innovation of aHub, the FranklinWH home energy solution has been extended to EVs, making it the most complete and robust energy solution for homeowners throughout the market.
Learn more about FranklinWH's energy solution here.
Still have questions? Connect with our energy consultant here!
