Fermata Energy and Xcel Energy Announce Transformative Vehicle-to-Everything Bidirectional Charging Pilot
Fermata Energy and Xcel Energy have partnered with the City of Boulder, Colorado CarShare, and Boulder Housing Partners to launch a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging pilot project. Located at Boulder Housing Partners’ 30 Pearl development and Molly's Spirits Lakeside facility, this project aims to convert parked electric vehicles (EVs) into mobile power units.
Using Fermata's intelligent charging platform, the project will feature four FE-20 chargers and two Nissan LEAFs to demonstrate V2X and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technology. This initiative aims to enhance grid resilience, reduce electric bills, and support local communities. Since December 2020, Fermata Energy's V2B technology has been utilized at the North Boulder Recreation Center, generating energy cost savings.
Fermata Energy also initiated a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) pilot for affordable housing in Boston. This collaboration highlights practical applications of V2X technology within Xcel Energy's service territory, promoting a sustainable and resilient energy grid.
- Fermata's V2X project aims to enhance grid resilience.
- Four FE-20 chargers and two Nissan LEAFs will be utilized.
- Project locations include 30 Pearl development and Molly's Spirits Lakeside facility.
- The initiative seeks to reduce electric bills for local communities.
- Successful V2B application since December 2020 at North Boulder Recreation Center.
- Launch of a V2G pilot program for affordable housing in Boston.
- Potential technical challenges in V2X and V2B technology adoption.
- initial deployment may not fully demonstrate scalability.
- Dependence on vehicle battery health for optimal performance.
Insights
The collaborative effort between Fermata Energy, Xcel Energy and local partners in Boulder, Colorado, marks a significant step in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) domain. While vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has been in development for a while, V2X broadens the concept by including all potential applications of bidirectional EV charging beyond just feeding power back to the grid. This pilot program aims to enhance grid resilience by leveraging parked EVs as mobile power units.
From an energy market perspective, this project demonstrates the ability to balance grid supply and demand dynamically. By offsetting peak demand through the strategic use of EV batteries, the system can potentially lower energy costs for buildings and contribute to grid stability. This is particularly valuable in periods of high energy consumption. Furthermore, integrating such technologies in underserved communities could democratize access to renewable energy benefits, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic equity.
In the short term, the pilot project showcases a proof of concept with the potential to scale. This could increase investor confidence in the scalability and economic viability of V2X technologies. Long term, if widely adopted, V2X could significantly alter the energy market by reducing reliance on traditional power plants and lowering the grid's carbon footprint.
The technological implications of this pilot project are profound. Fermata Energy's bidirectional charging platform, combined with their Demand Charge Management (DCM) software, exhibits advanced levels of intelligent energy management. The system's ability to regulate charge rate, frequency and depth while preserving vehicle battery health is critical. Preservation of battery health is a significant concern for EV owners and demonstrating that V2X technology can manage this effectively is a substantial validation.
Moreover, the integration of V2X with local housing developments and car-sharing programs showcases its versatility and potential for urban areas. This technology could pave the way for future smart cities where energy efficiency is maximized and the role of electric vehicles extends beyond transportation. Ensuring this technology integrates seamlessly with existing infrastructure will be important for its wider adoption.
In the near term, successful implementation and positive results from this pilot could spur further innovations and attract investments in similar technologies. In the long term, the interplay between EVs and building energy systems could redefine how we think about and use renewable energy, leading to a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.
From a market research perspective, this initiative by Fermata Energy and Xcel Energy is a forward-thinking approach that aligns with the growing demand for sustainability and renewable energy solutions. The project's focus on underserved communities and local businesses is particularly noteworthy. It highlights a shift towards more inclusive and community-focused energy solutions.
The potential market impact of this pilot is considerable. If proven effective, it could catalyze broader adoption of V2X technologies, driving demand for compatible EVs and charging infrastructure. This would create new market opportunities for companies involved in EV manufacturing, software development and renewable energy solutions. Additionally, consumer awareness and acceptance of such technologies could increase as the benefits become more apparent.
In the short term, this pilot may attract interest from environmentally conscious consumers and businesses looking for sustainable energy solutions. In the long term, as more data and results from the pilot become available, it could influence policy decisions and regulatory frameworks, further shaping the market landscape for EV and renewable energy technologies.
Balancing Grid Supply and Demand with Electric Vehicles in
Fermata Energy and Xcel Energy's Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging pilot project at Boulder Housing Partners’ 30 Pearl development (Photo: Business Wire)
Fermata Energy's intelligent bidirectional charging platform paired with four (4) FE-20 chargers and two (2) of Colorado CarShare’s Nissan LEAFs will showcase V2X and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) technology's untapped potential. When an electric vehicle is parked and in V2X mode, the Fermata Energy platform leverages the vehicle’s battery energy to offset and lower the building’s peak demand. Fermata Energy’s Demand Charge Management (DCM) software intelligence manages the total system power and energy via charge rate, frequency and depth while intelligently preserving the vehicle's battery health. This technology is designed to optimize customer value by curtailing building peak demand at the same time preserving needed range for the expected electric vehicle duty cycle.
"We're on the cusp of a transformative era in energy management, where electric vehicles transcend their traditional transportation roles to become pivotal in increasing grid resilience and sustainability," Tony Posawatz, CEO of Fermata Energy, stated. "This collaboration with Xcel Energy is more than a project; it's a blueprint for an attainable global renewable energy ecosystem.”
“This program helps deliver the benefits of electric vehicles to all customers in the communities we serve, including those that don’t drive, or drive electric. This project is a proof of concept of bi-directional charging, to assess technology with the potential to enhance customer bill savings,” said Huma Seth, Director of Clean Transportation at Xcel Energy. “We know EVs can help customers save money on their transportation costs and they deliver cleaner air for everyone because they are powered with increasingly clean electricity.”
Beyond these newest deployments, Fermata Energy's V2X impact is notable. Since December 2020, the
The collaboration between Fermata Energy, Xcel Energy,
About Fermata Energy
Fermata Energy is a leading platform services provider of intelligent Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) bidirectional charging technology, including Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), and Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) solutions. The company was founded in 2010 to accelerate the adoption of bidirectional energy technology solutions through inspiration and innovation. Fermata Energy’s proprietary technology enables its customers to manage EVs as distributed energy resources by selling excess energy stored in parked EV batteries to offset costly peak demand charges. To learn more about Fermata Energy, please visit https://fermataenergy.com/ and follow the company on LinkedIn.
About Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight Western and Midwestern states. Headquartered in
About Colorado CarShare
This collaboration not only showcases cutting-edge technology, but also aligns with Colorado Carshare’s commitment to environmentally sustainable and socially responsible transportation solutions. For more information, visit carshare.org, Facebook, Instagram.
About the
The city’s Climate Initiatives Department drives efforts to slow climate change and build a more resilient community for all, with a focus on energy systems, the circular economy and nature-based climate solutions. Learn more about the
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240520170080/en/
Fermata Energy Media Contact:
media@fermataenergy.com
Xcel Energy Media Contact:
mediainquiries@xcelenergy.com
Colorado CarShare Media Contact:
info@carshare.org
City of Boulder Media Contact:
niclil@bouldercolorado.gov
Source: Fermata Energy
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