Franklin Home Power Solution
Electric vehicles (EVs) are more than only eco-friendly alternatives to traditional ones—they're also redefining how we use energy in our daily lives. With the introduction of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, some EVs now have the ability to allow people to use EV energy to power external devices, from camping equipment and power tools to household appliances. It can even connect to another EV to transfer power to it. This innovation ensures that your EV's most valuable component—the battery—stays useful even when the car is parked.
In this article, we’ll deep dive into how V2L works and how you can use it to power your home. Whether it’s enhancing energy resiliency or maximizing the utility of your EV, V2L opens up a world of possibilities for homeowners.
Understanding V2L
What is V2L Technology
In typical day-to-day travel, EVs rarely use their full battery capacity, leaving a significant portion idle. V2L changes that by enabling EV owners to tap into their vehicle’s energy reserves, providing a reliable power source. Beyond its convenience, this feature is a game-changer for energy security, allowing you to charge devices during outages, avoid peak electricity rates, or power your home in emergencies. It functions as a rechargeable power bank that you can use to charge other devices.
As V2L is a new technology and requires 240 V to be compatible with major appliances, the current standard V2L functionality is almost exclusively limited to pickup trucks with higher end trim packages that offer multiple native external outlets. While some electric cars also have V2L, they are not equipped with native external outlets and use a proprietary adapter to convert the charge port into an outlet, which may not provide true 240 V output.
How Does V2L Work
V2L operates through an innovative system within your EV that allows it to supply power to external devices. The process is powered by several key components and mechanisms, enabling the efficient and safe transfer of energy from your vehicle’s battery to the appliances and tools you need to power.
The Role of the Onboard Inverter
At the heart of V2L is an inverter integrated into the EV. This inverter is responsible for transforming the direct current (DC) stored in the vehicle’s battery into alternating current (AC), the standard power format for most consumer devices. This transformation ensures compatibility with a wide range of appliances, across devices from smaller ones such as phone chargers to coffee makers and even refrigerators.
Using V2L
To access the V2L feature, EVs provide a 240 V socket. Here’s how it works:
- Plugging in the Load: On pickups providing V2L, a standard four-prong 240 V socket is installed, typically in the bed.
- Connecting Devices: Devices to be powered are connected directly to the socket. If you need to power multiple devices simultaneously, splitters or multi-port adapters can be used, provided the total load does not exceed the EV's output capacity.
- Using an Extension Cord for Home Appliances: To power appliances inside your home, you can plug an extension cord into the EV’s built-in socket. Connect the other end of the extension cord to a power strip with overload protection (preferably 12-gauge or lower), allowing you to distribute electricity to multiple devices throughout your home.
The Distinction of V2L from Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) are a step up from V2L, because they require extra equipment and infrastructure to allow the EV to send power to the home.
V2L is unidirectional, meaning energy flows only out of the EV battery without the capability to recharge the battery.
V2H, on the other hand, takes the concept further by enabling the EV to power an entire home. This functionality allows bidirectional energy flow, meaning the EV can both receive power from the home to charge its battery and supply energy back to the home during outages or peak demand times. To achieve this, V2H requires a bidirectional EV charger and a special setup that can handle two-way power transfer.
V2G allows the EV to interact directly with the electrical grid, supplying stored energy to support load balancing and grid stability. Like V2H, V2G is bidirectional, allowing energy to flow both into and out of the EV battery. In addition to the bidirectional charger, V2G requires a smart meter with virtual power plant (VPP) technology to monitor and manage energy flows.
How to Power Your Home Using V2L
Steps to Use V2L to Energize Your Home
To power your home using V2L, follow these steps:
1.Verify V2L Capability: Ensure your EV supports V2L functionality by consulting the owner's manual or manufacturer specifications.
2. Assess Power Requirements: Identify essential appliances and their power ratings to determine the total load you plan to support. This ensures you do not exceed the EV's power output capacity.
3.Utilize Appropriate Connections
- Direct Connection: For immediate needs, use extension cords and power strips to connect appliances directly to the AC outlet on the EV.
- Integrated Home Connection: For a more seamless integration, consider installing a generator inlet with a transfer switch kit. This setup isolates your home's electrical system from the grid during outages and allows you to select specific circuits to power. Consult a licensed electrician for proper installation.
4.Activate V2L Mode: Enable the V2L function through your EV's interface and set the battery discharge limit, typically between 20% and 80% of stored power, depending on your needs.
5.Monitor Battery Levels: Regularly check your EV's battery state to prevent complete depletion, ensuring sufficient charge for both powering your home and potential driving needs.
Safety Precautions
1.Avoid overloading the EV's power output capacity.
2.Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating.
3.Follow manufacturer guidelines to maintain safety and warranty coverage.
Considerations and Limitations
When utilizing V2L technology to power your home, it's essential to consider the following factors:
Power Output Limits: V2L systems have maximum power output capacities. For instance, the Ford F-150 Lightning can provide up to 9.6 kW output power. It is essential to realize that an EV battery may not simultaneously support multiple energy-intensive appliances.
Duration of Power Supply: The EV's battery capacity and the total load determine how long it can supply power. As a general guideline, 1 kWh of energy consumption corresponds to approximately a 2% drop in the state of charge (SOC) of your EV battery. For example, if you consume 12 kWh in a day, accounting for a 10-20% energy loss during power transfer, the actual energy used is about 9.8 kWh, resulting in a 5-6% SOC reduction.
Take another example, with a 77.5 kWh battery set to a discharge limit of 20%, the EV provides 62.5 kWh of usable capacity. If you have a total backup load of 500 W, the EV could supply power for approximately 125 hours, or about 5.2 days.
Regulatory Compliance: Before using V2L to power your home, consult local regulations and building codes to ensure legality and safety. Compliance with these standards is crucial to prevent legal issues and ensure safe operation.
Benefits of Using V2L for Home Power
V2L technology offers significant advantages, making it an innovative solution for homeowners looking to enhance energy resiliency, efficiency, and sustainability. Here are the key benefits of using V2L to power your home.
Emergency Backup Power
V2L provides a reliable power source during emergencies. In the event of power outages, V2L-equipped EVs can ensure that essential appliances remain operational. This capability helps maintain normalcy and safety in emergent situations, reducing the disruptions associated with blackouts.
Replacing Generators
V2L technology can effectively replace traditional fossil fuel generators, providing a quieter, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly alternative.
Energy Cost Savings and Efficiency
With utility companies increasingly adopting time-of-use (TOU) pricing, V2L can help reduce electricity costs by powering your home during peak hours when grid electricity is steep. This allows homeowners to save on energy bills while still enjoying uninterrupted access to essential devices.
Sustainability and Carbon Footprint Reduction
By utilizing clean energy stored in EV batteries, V2L helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and promote renewable energy adoption, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
The V2L Technology in the FranklinWH System: Reinforce Your Power Resiliency
The FranklinWH home energy management system is an innovative home energy solution that integrates solar, battery, grid, generator, and EV, creating a cohesive energy ecosystem that optimizes your energy supply and use to achieve unrivaled energy independence.
The FranklinWH System incorporates innovative V2L technology, allowing homeowners to access their EV battery as a backup power source to reinforce power resiliency during long outages.
The FranklinWH System has a built-in module that allows an unprecedented easy and quick setup of V2L power input. Moreover, the FranklinWH App allows you to put V2L in the palm of your hand, enabling setup of output power limits and automatic system monitoring to ensure operation safety from anywhere, at any time.
Conclusion
V2L technology transforms electric vehicles into a versatile energy solution, enabling them to power homes appliances and support renewable energy integration. From emergency backup during outages to reducing energy costs and promoting sustainability, V2L adds immense value to EV ownership. As the technology evolves, V2L is expected to play a more significant role in energy security, paving the way for a smarter and greener future.
