Neue Klaasse models that will be released in 2025 will be able to store electricity and operate as power banks, with the help of two-way charging technology. This means that they will be able to charge their batteries, on the one hand, to provide electricity. With his most recent design studies, BMW Vision Neue Klaasse sedan and BMW Vision Neue Klaasse X SAV, BMW Group gives a taste of the next generation of the BMW brand’s basic models. These represent the range of technological innovations through which the company promotes its future viability. On the occasion of the world premiere of BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, BMW announces another innovation to enter production: the possibility of two-way charging. This technology makes it possible to use the high voltage battery of a pure electric vehicle as an energy storage medium and to ‘return’ the stored electricity either to the domestic or public electricity grid at a later time. In this way, BMW model holders can contribute even more actively to the energy transition, while promoting sustainable production and the use of renewable energy sources. Technologies such as “Vehicle to Home”, “Vehicle to Grid” and “Vehicle to Load” are first made available to BMW customers. This move also highlights the continued expansion of BMW Group charging services. Vehicle to Home: electricity for your household At the initial stage of technology, two-way charging will allow customers to effectively use their vehicle’s high-voltage battery as a stable means of energy storage. Here, the carbon neutral electricity produced by the customer’s photovoltaic system is temporarily stored in the vehicle’s battery with the help of BMW DC Wallbox Professional and then returns to the network to supply other devices at home. Therefore, the customer does not depend on the external electricity network for some time and benefits from reducing energy costs. Vehicle to Grid: public network feed The second stage of two-way charging will allow customers to have some of the battery content on the public electricity network. This energy content can be used both for charging from the network and for feeding the network at the right time. Access to the energy market will be provided by BMW partner E.ON. To this end, customers will need E.ON’s dynamic electricity invoice, which will manage the charging process along with BMW’s backend, in order to enable revenue to be generated from the energy exchange. This function will only be available on the different markets when the relevant regulatory framework is applied. Accelerating energy transition Two-way charging does not only ensure greater security during the supply. By charging their batteries and powering electrical devices, electric vehicles can make a significant contribution to the share of electricity consumption from renewable sources. Using the storage capabilities provided by high voltage batteries allows better supply and demand coordination in the green electricity sector. For example, electric vehicle storage systems can selectively absorb part of excess wind and solar energy to power the network during periods of low production (night, rest). This makes it possible not to involve some polluting production units (e.g. lignite) under such conditions. In this way, electrical mobility becomes an increasingly integral part of the energy revolution. With two-way charging, CO2 emissions can be reduced overall, both in the area of mobility and overall energy production.
BMW: Electric cars as a means of energy storage
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in Car