EDF announces low-carbon vehicle partnership with Nissan

Big six company EDF Energy has announced a partnership with Nissan to support the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and energy generation and storage solutions.

EDF is the long-term supplier of the car manufacturer and signed the new agreement in Paris earlier this month.

Both companies will explore how second-life Nissan EV batteries can support demand-side management by looking at the business case for recycling retired batteries from Nissan Leaf into commercial battery storage.

EDF says the system would see electricity stored in the batteries and released back to the grid using the company’s PowerShift flexibility platform to react quickly to demand-side response (DSR) initiatives.

The combined system will be trialled to see how it can support onsite generation, greater control and flexibility over energy use, and provide additional revenue streams.

Beatrice Bigois, managing director of customers at EDF Energy said: “The transition to electric vehicles provides huge opportunities for businesses and households, which is why we are investing in the best technology and products to help consumers and business realise the associated benefits.

“In partnering with Nissan, we’re excited to explore new technologies and business models to make low carbon transport a reality now and for the future.”

The energy giant also recently announced it has signed a deal with Upside Energy to give its business customers access to markets in which to sell their excess energy.

Upside Energy’s cloud-based platform will provide real-time data and advanced forecasting and will work alongside EDF Energy’s PowerShift platform. This, the company has announced, will enhance its offering to business customers and dispatch DSR in real-time, in the same way that it dispatches generation.

Following the announcement of the partnership Jean-Benoit Ritz, director of innovation and blue lab at EDF Energy, said: “Balancing our energy use is increasingly critical as the UK transitions to a low carbon future.

“This is why demand-side response schemes have a growing role in ensuring that electricity is there when we need it, whilst reducing our reliance on less efficient forms of generation to meet short-term peaks of demand.

“PowerShift gives our business customers better access to DSR schemes, allowing them to pool their own sources of energy generation and adjust their energy use in response to demand, providing them with new revenue streams, whilst at the same time supporting grid flexibility.”

The announcement coincided with Green GB week.

Claire Perry, minister for energy and clean growth, said: “The UK has led the world in cutting emissions whilst growing our economy – with clean growth driving incredible innovation and creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs.

“Ten years on from the Climate Change Act, the first ever Green GB week is a time to build on our successes and explain the huge opportunities for business and young people of a cleaner economy.

“I’m delighted to see how many more businesses and organisations such as Upside Energy are seizing this multi-billion pound opportunity to energise their communities to tackle the very serious threat of climate change.”