EVs show flexible nature as Nissan helps drive Silicon Valley grid during peak demand

Nissan and ChargeScape have launched a new vehicle-to-grid pilot program in Silicon Valley, where Nissan EVs will export stored battery energy back to the power grid during peak demand periods. The initiative aims to support the region’s rapidly growing energy needs driven by AI-powered data centers, while demonstrating how electric vehicles can function as distributed energy resources rather than just transportation tools.

How it works: The pilot operates through Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center using bidirectional charging technology to manage two-way power flow.

• Fermata Energy’s bidirectional chargers handle the technical aspects of moving energy between EV batteries and the grid.
• ChargeScape coordinates with virtual power plant builder Leap to strategically discharge energy from participating Nissan EVs during times of high grid demand.
• The program is backed by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program and operates within Silicon Valley Power’s utility territory.

Why this matters: Silicon Valley’s power grid faces mounting pressure from energy-hungry AI data centers, making grid stability increasingly critical for the region’s tech infrastructure.

• The pilot serves as part of ChargeScape and Leap’s broader California Virtual Power Plant initiative, positioning EVs as flexible grid resources that can help utilities manage higher electrical loads.
• ChargeScape views integrating EV batteries into grid operations as “a crucial step toward long-term reliability as AI continues to drive up power demand.”

What’s in it for drivers: Participating EV owners will receive financial compensation for providing energy back to the grid, potentially making electric vehicle ownership more affordable over time.

• “Activating these vehicles as flexible, dispatchable grid resources is a game-changing tool to help utilities manage higher loads and unlock economic growth while putting dollars back in the hands of ratepayers,” said Jason Michaels, CEO of Leap.
• ChargeScape believes these financial incentives could help reduce the total cost of EV ownership in the long run.

What they’re saying: Industry leaders emphasize the community benefits of vehicle-to-grid technology beyond just grid stability.

• “Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles can reinforce our communities’ electrical needs and deliver meaningful benefits to drivers,” said Rich Miller, vice president of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan US.
• Fermata Energy points to its AI-enabled V2X optimization platform as evidence that EVs can deliver economic value to drivers and communities while helping utilities manage demand.

The big picture: This Silicon Valley pilot is designed to establish a framework for expanding vehicle-to-grid programs across California and other markets, demonstrating how the growing EV fleet can help stabilize power grids while creating new revenue streams for electric vehicle owners.