Francis Clarke is an energy trailblazer and an early adopter of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology that he has been using to power his home for almost two years.

When Essential Energy offered him the opportunity to trial the technology at his 500-hectare property in Lower Boro, near Goulburn, he jumped at the chance to integrate it as part of his home energy management system.

V2G uses a bi-directional charger that allows for the two-way flow of electricity between an electric vehicle and the grid, which means you can charge your car, power your home, and send excess energy back to the grid.

Francis’ foray into V2G was borne by his desire to reduce the cost of powering his property and to get the best value out of his renewable investments. He initially set up a solar array with two inverters and a battery. The evolution continued with the purchase of a Nissan Leaf and the realisation that it could store five times more power than his home battery.

"We've always believed in the power of innovation to improve our lives and our community," Francis says.

“The fact that we run a car that drives an average of 2400 kilometres per month and powers our house while remaining in credit on our power bill is a testament to vehicle-to-grid technology.

"Adopting the technology is just another step in our journey towards a sustainable future, and it's exciting to be part of something that can make such a positive impact."

In May 2023, Essential Energy worked with Francis to help him harness this opportunity through the energy distributor’s first in-home V2G trial.

Connection Experience Specialist, Ben Thomas with Essential Energy's first V2G customer, Francis Clarke.

Essential Energy’s Connection Experience Specialist, Ben Thomas says the significance of this trial demonstrates the potential of V2G technology to empower customers to get more value out of their energy investments.

“We were more than happy to work with Francis to understand the process of having a vehicle-to-grid connection at his home,” Ben explains. “By enabling our customers to actively participate in energy management, we are paving the way for a smarter, more resilient grid.

Throughout the trial, Essential Energy has been gathering valuable information and feedback to help better understand how this technology can be used as part of the overall power system management across its network.

“One of the main objectives of working with Francis was to get real-world experience of a customer’s vehicle-to-grid connection,” Ben says.

The benefits of V2G technology extend beyond individuals getting more financial benefits from their renewable investments. It can lead to improved grid stability as rooftop solar generation increases and supports the uptake of EVs across regional, rural and remote communities.

Find out more information about Essential Energy's vehicle-to-grid technology.