California airport tries out bidirectional EV charging microgrid

The future of transportation is looking brighter, especially with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). While traditional gasoline cars have their advantages, such as quicker refueling times, electric cars are proving to be far more efficient. In fact, they can offset the extra energy required for battery production within just a couple of years. Along with being quieter and easier to drive, EVs can also serve as power sources for homes and even airports. In Humboldt County, California, the Redwood Coast Airport has taken a significant step by integrating bidirectional charging into its existing microgrid system. This innovative setup, which has been operational since 2021, features a 2.2 MW solar array and 8.9 MWh of battery storage, complemented by a 300 KW net-metered solar system. The microgrid not only supplies excess power back to PG&E's local grid but also has the capability to keep the airport functioning during power outages. The airport's fleet includes two Nissan Leaf electric vehicles, one from the 2021 model year purchased by the Humboldt County Aviation Division and another from 2020, supplied by Nissan. While these earlier Leaf models utilize CHAdeMO for DC fast charging, the second-generation Leaf was designed with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. Previously, there were no pilot programs for V2G in North America, making this development at the Redwood Coast Airport a noteworthy achievement in the EV landscape. As other electric vehicles like school buses and Ford F-150s enter the V2G field, the integration of the Leaf into this innovative microgrid marks a promising advancement in harnessing the full potential of electric vehicles, even as newer models come onto the market.