Gansu Province Adopts V2G Tech for EVs: Gansu province in Northwest China is enhancing cutting-edge Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, enabling electric vehicles (EVs) to function as "power banks" for the power grid. V2G technology allows energy stored in EV batteries to be fed back into the grid, facilitating a bidirectional flow of energy between vehicles and the grid, breaking the traditional limitation of EVs drawing power solely from the grid. This can support peak load adjustments and generate additional income for EV owners. State Grid Gansu Electric Power Co. said EV owners using V2G fast-charging stations can charge during off-peak hours at lower rates and sell power back to the grid during peak hours at higher prices, earning profits from the price gap. Moreover, when EVs serve as energy storage units, they participate in peak shaving and valley filling, providing extra flexibility to the grid, which is expected to help stabilize grid fluctuations, enhance renewable energy integration, and reduce grid losses. China has issued its first national policy document on V2G, aiming to strengthen the integration of new energy vehicles and the power grid, with a target of establishing over five demonstration cities and 50 two-way charging and discharging pilot projects by the end of 2025. It is expected that by 2030, new energy vehicles will become a critical component of the energy storage system, providing the power system with about 10 million kilowatts of bidirectional flexibility. Gansu has already begun deploying V2G charging stations in Dunhuang and Habancha village of Lanzhou, based on the construction of a smart microgrid network with flexible AC/DC integration, completing its first demonstration project for an integrated smart microgrid network this month.

By LI JIAYING in Beijing and MA JINGNA in Lanzhou | China Daily