At first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking the Nissan LEAF is just a car, albeit something of a pioneer. It is, after all, the world’s favourite electric car, one that can get you from A to B comfortably and safely without any tailpipe emissions.
But LEAF has hidden talents. Its advanced lithium-ion battery can also be used to store enough electricity to power a home.
The system, called LEAF to Home, has been established in Japan since 2012 and allows owners to recharge their car’s battery at night when demand is lower and then either use the stored energy to drive the car or to power their domestic needs. With a battery capacity of 24kWh, it holds enough to power a typical Japanese home for two days.
To date the system is only available in Japan, though a similar vehicle-to-grid project is under development in Europe. Announced during the 21st United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris, Nissan and multinational power company ENEL are working together to deliver a V2G system that in the not–too-distant future will allow electric vehicle owners to sell power from their EV batteries to the grid, thus reducing their own operating costs as well as helping to ensure grid stability. Trials are already underway in Denmark to test the viability of the system with tests in Germany, Netherlands and other northern European countries to follow suit.
LEAF to Home will, however, be available in Switzerland for a few days this month. Visitors to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos (20-23 January) are welcome to pick up a warming cup of hot chocolate that’s been powered by LEAF – just the thing when the snow is falling and temperatures plummet.
The url to this blog will be printed on paper cups (fully recyclable, of course) so hot chocolate lovers at Davos can learn more about LEAF’s talents.
Here they will also discover that LEAF’s batteries will keep on giving long after the car itself is history. Also during COP21, Nissan and power management specialists Eaton announced they have established a partnership to develop a second life programme for the lithium-ion batteries.
By removing the batteries at the end of the car’s life and turning them into solar powered storage units, they can be used to provide clean energy from renewable sources to ensure continuity of supply and reduced dependence on oil-based energy.
Related press releases:
https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/releases/120530-01-e
http://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/EU/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=140287
http://newsroom.nissan-europe.com/EU/en-gb/Media/Media.aspx?mediaid=140285
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