New Jersey Retreat on Advancing Vehicle-to-Grid Technologies

January 22, 2020 | Trenton, NJ – Thomas Edison State University

The objective of the retreat was to explore strategies to implement vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and policies in New Jersey, such as allowing vehicles to provide services to the electric grid like demand response, backup battery power, or frequency regulation. This retreat outlined the current state of play of V2G, identified policies and regulatory structures that New Jersey can adopt to allow V2G participation in energy markets, and identified action steps New Jersey can take to achieve the state’s electric vehicle and energy storage goals. Participants learned about V2G technologies, regulatory constructs, rate-design, and market integration to allow V2G deployment in New Jersey, and how to plan for the impacts of more electric vehicles on the distribution grid, along with other topics. Participants discussed these trends and ideas and recommended next steps.

Modernizing our electric power grid infrastructure is a critical step forward in creating a path toward clean and renewable energy. This partnership will support our broader effort to ensure New Jersey’s clean energy future and create a sustainable environment for future generations.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

Resources


Sessions

  • Overview, Meeting Goals, and Introductions
    New Jersey’s planning team provided context for the retreat by sharing their organizations vision for V2G and a high-level overview of challenges and opportunities.
    • Dan Lauf, Energy Program Director, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center)
    • Jane Cohen, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Phil Murphy
    • Jim Ferris, Bureau Chief for New Technology, Clean Energy Division, NJ BPU

  • The Status of V2G: Perspectives from Academia
    A description of V2G technologies, including opportunities, benefits, costs, and challenges for deployment. Questions addressed included: What is the state of the market now?; What near-term market movements are expected?; and What are potential barriers or challenges to V2G commercialization and integration that policymakers and regulators should be aware of?
    • Willett Kempton, Research Director – Center for Carbon-Free Integration University of Delaware

  • The Status of V2G: Perspectives from Industry
    Speakers from the transportation industry described the market-readiness of V2G technologies, including opportunities, benefits, costs, and challenges for deployment. Topics to be addressed include: Their vision for V2G; The business case for V2G; Regulatory concerns regarding V2G.
    • Patrick Bean, Senior Manager of Policy & Business Development, Tesla
    • Josh Cohen, Director of Policy, Greenlots
    • Kevin Miller, Director of Public Policy, ChargePoint

  • Opportunities for Stakeholder Feedback 1
    Stakeholders shared their thoughts on the morning’s sessions.

  • Lunch Presentation: Leveraging Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles for V2G
    An overview of Dominion Energy’s innovative electric school bus program in Virginia. The program is a partnership between Dominion Energy and local Virginia school districts to add over 1,000 electric school buses in the next five years. In addition to their normal transportation duties, these buses will (1) act as portable batteries, (2) be used as an energy resources by Dominion, (3) provide ancillary services to the electric grid, and (4) serve as a mobile power stations during power outages or emergencies.
    • Daniel Weekley, VP of Innovation Policy & Development, Dominion Energy

  • Regulatory and Market Solutions to Support V2G Deployment
    A discussion of regulatory, market, and rate design changes that need to be made to support V2G in New Jersey and compensate gridconnected vehicles. With a focus on what will be required to integrate V2G into electricity markets and integrated distribution system planning.
    • Eric Cutter, Director, Distributed Energy Resources, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc.
    • Sara Parkinson, Energy Policy Analyst, University of Delaware
    • Andrew Levitt, Senior Market Strategist, PJM Interconnection
    • Robert Brabston, Deputy Executive Director, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

  • Designing with Customers in Mind – Discussion on Customer Outreach and Equity
    How state and utilities can educate consumers about V2G programs and consider how electrification and V2G can be pursued in an equitable fashion. How can New Jersey increase access and opportunities for all communicates to access electric vehicles?
    • Shelley Francis, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, EVNoire

  • Establishing V2G in New Jersey – Opportunities for Stakeholder Feedback 2
    Stakeholders shared their thoughts on the most promising avenues for state action based on the day’s discussion.

  • State Team Debrief

About this meeting

The U.S. electric power system is evolving. Renewable energy generation has more than doubled since 2000 and smart meters are now in use by more than half of U.S. energy customers. Electric vehicle adoption is growing, as is the transition to home heating electrification. Meanwhile grid resilience is being challenged by aging infrastructure, more frequent and intense weather events and increasing physical and cyber threats.

In the face of these changes, governors are looking for solutions to update their state’s infrastructure. After a competitive application process, NGA worked with governor-designated teams from four selected states to advance one or more grid modernization objectives proposed by their governors.

Maryland Grid Modernization Retreat
Maryland is preparing for increased electrification, primarily electric vehicles (EVs), and is looking for ideas to incentivize EVs, while managing impacts on the electric grid. Participants discussed ways to achieve Maryland’s aggressive EV procurement targets, while mitigating grid impacts.

New Jersey Retreat on Advancing Vehicle-To-Grid Technologies
An exploration of strategies to implement vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies and policies in New Jersey, such as allowing vehicles to provide services to the electric grid like demand response, backup battery power, or frequency regulation.

New Mexico Grid Modernization Retreat
The New Mexico Grid Modernization Retreat explored strategies to implement New Mexico’s Energy Transition Act, which requires 100 percent zero-carbon electricity for utilities by 2045 and rural electric cooperatives by 2050. The retreat examined how to reach the targets in the Act with a modernized grid in the most affordable, reliable, and equitable way.

Facilitating Heating Sector Transformation In Rhode Island
Rhode Island is pursuing rapid heat sector decarbonization and is interested in exploring ways to facilitate a successful transformation without exacerbating energy burdens. This retreat convened state participants to understand technology pathways, think innovatively about a fuel-neutral utility business model, and proactively approach workforce development to meet the needs of a decarbonized heat sector.