The Mobility House and Wallbox fire up a bidirectional charger in San Diego

The Mobility House and Wallbox have achieved a significant milestone in the advancement of bidirectional charging technology by installing a Wallbox Quasar 2 charger in a San Diego County residence. This installation enables the homeowners to both charge and discharge their Kia EV9 electric vehicle in a grid-connected system that supports power export. The setup allows the vehicle’s battery to supply energy back to the home, reducing electricity costs through vehicle-to-home (V2H) functionality, as well as exporting surplus power to the grid for potential revenue generation via vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. This project marks the first interconnection of its kind within the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) service area and underscores the complexities involved in deploying V2G technology at scale. The process required close collaboration between The Mobility House, Wallbox, their installation partner COIL, and the local utility to navigate interconnection approvals, permitting, and inspections. Completing these steps in under six months, the team addressed challenges such as panel compatibility and regulatory compliance, paving the way for smoother future deployments. The installation also represents the first integration of the Quasar 2 charger with The Mobility House’s Cascade EV Aggregator platform. This system receives signals from the utility and optimises charging and discharging schedules to maximise financial benefits for the vehicle owner. By participating in utility programs like demand response and dynamic pricing, users can generate revenue while supporting grid stability, signalling a promising future for bidirectional charging as a key component of smart energy management. Russell Vare, Vice President of Vehicle Grid Integration at The Mobility House North America, highlighted the importance of securing interconnection approval, noting that many consumers are unaware of this requirement even when managing home energy without exporting power. The successful coordination with SDG&E demonstrates the feasibility of integrating bidirectional chargers into existing grid infrastructure, potentially accelerating the adoption of V2G technology across residential settings. This development could play a crucial role in the transition towards more flexible, sustainable energy and transportation systems.