Organizational Initiative: Delivering 100 Sions for We Drive Solar's V2G undertaking in Utrecht City
In a groundbreaking development, Renault Group, Sono Group N.V., We Drive Solar, and the Municipality of Utrecht have joined forces to create a scalable, integrated, and sustainable solution for grid stabilization through the large-scale Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project known as "Utrecht Energized."
The initiative, which aims to address grid challenges caused by Utrecht's high solar energy penetration, has been instrumental in stabilizing the regional electricity grid in the Netherlands. With around 35% of rooftops in the city sporting solar panels, fluctuating power generation and demand have been a significant concern.
At the heart of this project is Renault's bidirectional charging technology, developed by its Mobilize brand. This innovation enables electric vehicles (EVs) not only to store surplus solar power during periods of high generation but also to feed electricity back into the grid during peak demand, providing crucial flexibility to the local grid.
MyWheels, the Netherlands’ largest car-sharing platform, has integrated V2G-enabled EVs into its fleet, starting with 50 Renault 5 E-Tech electric cars. The project plans to scale up to 500 vehicles, which could supply up to 10% of the flexibility needed to balance renewable power flows during peak periods in Utrecht.
We Drive Solar contributes to the project by delivering bidirectional public AC chargers and aggregation technology that supports Mobilize’s V2G toolkit, creating a harmonized system connecting vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy providers, and grid operators to maximize V2G effectiveness.
The project also provides an alternative to surplus solar energy export by storing excess renewable electricity in EV batteries and making it available on demand locally, reducing strain on the grid and promoting local renewable energy use for a more sustainable energy ecosystem. Furthermore, it facilitates vehicle grid services income generation by allowing parked shared vehicles to contribute actively to grid stability, redefining the traditional car-sharing model and encouraging more sustainable urban mobility.
Sono Group, on a mission to accelerate the revolution of mobility by making every vehicle solar, is focusing on making solar technology a standard feature in various vehicles. The project involves the use of 100 Sion, the world's first solar electric vehicles for the masses, which are designed to be self-sufficient, relying less on the grid due to their solar energy conversion capabilities.
The Sion vehicles will be charged using sustainable energy and can deliver excess energy back into the grid, further enhancing the project's impact on grid stabilization. The Sion is equipped with a 54 kWh LFP-battery that enables the car to travel up to 305 km on a single charge.
The Utrecht Energized project serves as a pioneering European example in V2G deployment, demonstrating the potential for scalable, integrated, and sustainable solutions that stabilize regional electricity grids amid increasing renewable energy adoption.
For media-related queries, please contact press@[our website]. Investor-related queries can be directed to ir@[our website]. Sono Group's ticker symbol is OTCQB: SEVCF. The focus of Sono Group is on making solar technology a standard feature in various vehicles, including third-party OEM cars, buses, refrigerated vehicles, and recreational vehicles.
[1] Renault Group press release, "Utrecht Energized: Renault Group, We Drive Solar, MyWheels and the Municipality of Utrecht launch large-scale V2G project in the Netherlands," 15 March 2023. [2] Sono Group press release, "Sono Group partners with Renault Group for large-scale V2G project in Utrecht, Netherlands," 15 March 2023. [3] We Drive Solar press release, "We Drive Solar powers up Utrecht Energized with bidirectional charging and aggregation technology," 15 March 2023. [4] MyWheels press release, "MyWheels and Renault Group team up for large-scale V2G project in Utrecht, Netherlands," 15 March 2023.
- The collaboration between Renault Group, Sono Group N.V., We Drive Solar, and the Municipality of Utrecht aims to address climate-change issues by creating a sustainable solution for grid stabilization through the large-scale Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project known as "Utrecht Energized."
- This project brings environmental-science innovation to the forefront in stabilizing the regional electricity grid in the Netherlands, specifically tackling grid challenges caused by the high solar energy penetration in Utrecht.
- The project features Industry-leader Renault's bidirectional charging technology, allowing electric vehicles (EVs) to store surplus solar power and feed electricity back into the grid during peak demand, providing an essential source of flexibility to the local grid.
- As part of the initiative, lifestyle changes are promoted by integrating V2G-enabled EVs into car-sharing platforms, such as MyWheels in the Netherlands, fostering sustainable urban mobility and encouraging the adoption of electric-vehicles.
- The advancement also showcases how technology can play a role in home-and-garden and energy-related matters, as Sion, the world's first solar electric vehicle for the masses, is now equipped with solar panels to reduce reliance on the grid and facilitate sustainable living.
- The successful implementation of this V2G project in Utrecht serves as a model for sustainable living and sets an example for other cities seeking scalable, integrated, and environmentally-friendly means of stabilizing regional electricity grids amid increasing renewable energy adoption.
