Toyota announces V2H system

Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it has developed a vehicle to home (V2H) system for the mutual sharing of power between electric-powered vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), and homes. The V2H system is to start testing, using Prius PHVs, at the end of 2012 in approximately ten households as part of the Toyota City Low-Carbon Verification Project2 (Toyota City Project) that began in April 2010. 

The newly developed V2H two-way electric power supply system can supply power from home to vehicle as well as from vehicle to home. An AC100 V inverter onboard the Prius PHV converts stored power into AC suitable for home use, while power flow is controlled according to communication between vehicle, charging stand and the home. With this new method, low-carbon electricity ("green" electricity) generated from regional or home solar generators, or low-cost late night electricity, can be stored in a vehicle's drive battery and then used to supply power to the household during peak consumption times. This kind of optimal energy flow can be automatically controlled by a home energy management system (HEMS).

Vehicle batteries can also be used as a power source in times of emergency by manually setting the electricity flow to supply power from the vehicle's drive battery through the charging stand to a home's lights and power outlets. With a fully charged battery and full tank of gasoline, a Prius PHV can supply power for average Japanese household electricity use (approximately 10 kWh) for four days.
 

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Nissan to launch V2H system in June 2012

Nissan and Nichicon to Launch the "LEAF to Home" Power Supply
System With "EV Power Station"

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will launch the "LEAF to Home" power supply system at its dealerships in Japan in mid-June 2012. The V2H system (Vehicle to Home) can supply electricity from batteries onboard in Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EV) to homes when used with the "EV Power Station" unit developed by Nichicon Corporation.

"LEAF to Home" is an industry-first backup power supply system that can transmit the electricity stored in the large-capacity batteries of Nissan LEAFs to a residential home. Nissan will showcase this system at its Japanese dealership showrooms beginning in June to help promote efficient electricity management and demonstrate the features built into electric vehicles.

Nichicon, an innovator in power supply systems, will provide the technology to move the electricity from vehicle to home through its "EV Power Station" units. This power transfer system enables electricity stored in high-capacity lithium-ion batteries onboard a Nissan LEAF to be sent to an ordinary home by connecting the car to the home's electricity distribution panel with a connector linked to the LEAF's quick charging port.

The EV Power Station system is similar in size to an external air-conditioning unit, can be installed outdoors, and conforms to the CHAdeMO protocol for EV quick chargers. CHAdeMO is an abbreviation of "Charge de Move" ("charge for moving") and is the trade name for a quick-charging method used to charge the batteries of electric vehicles. The Nichicon system's connector complies with the JEVS G 105 standard defined by the Japan Automotive Research Institute (JARI). This system can run on various operating modes and has a timer function which can be controlled with a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch panel. Electricity is stored or supplied automatically in accordance with a household's electricity capacity and consumption.

The EV Power Station can fully charge a LEAF in as little as four hours, which is approximately half the time required when a normal charger is used. All current Nissan LEAF owners in Japan will be able to use the system, depending on their home's installation requirements. With Japanese government subsidies taken into account, the EV Power Station is estimated to cost 330,000 yen ($4200), which amount includes 10% consumption tax and installation charge.

EV Power Station: Specifications When charging the LEAF Input voltage: Single-phase, AC 200V (±15%), 50 Hz/60 Hz (±5%) Input current range: AC 0-36A Output voltage range: DC 50-500V (CHAdeMO Protocol) Peak power output: 6kW Conversion efficiency: 90% or more (at rated output) Power factor: 99% or more (at rated output) When supplying power to households (V2H) Input voltage range: DC 150V-450V Input current range: DC 0-30A (Limited by cable specifications) Single-phase three-wire system (AC 100V x two-phase) Output voltage: AC100V (±6%), 50Hz / 60Hz AC 200V (±6%), 50Hz / 60Hz (Max.±2%) Output current range: AC 0 - 30A Peak power output: 6kW (Single-phased, AC 100V·3kW x two-phase) Conversion efficiency: 90% or more (at rated output) External dimensions: 650 mm (W) x 350 mm (D) x 781 mm (H) (excluding projecting parts) Mass: Approx. 60 kg

This system helps to balance the electrical supply system, and can even lower a consumer's electricity bill. The LEAF to Home system will help encourage Nissan LEAF owners to charge their cars with electricity generated during the night, when demand is low, or sourced from solar panels. This assist in balancing energy needs by supplying electricity to the grid during daytime, when demand is highest. It can also be used as back-up power source in case of power outages and/or shortages.

The lithium-ion batteries can store up to 24kWh of electricity, which is sufficient to supply an average Japanese household for about two days. This system underscores an additional attribute of EVs: vehicles which can be used as a storage battery whether they are moving or stationary.

Source: Nissan News Release, May 30, 2012