Nissan LEAF: Contributing to Realization of Smart Grids
Nissan LEAF can make possible electricity supply to households through
the Power Control System. The “LEAF to Home” power supply system lets
Nissan LEAF share the electricity stored in its high-capacity lithium-ion
batteries with an ordinary home once the car is connected to the home’s
electricity distribution panel via its quick charging port. In this way EV
batteries can provide new value. The connector has been tested in use
worldwide, conforms to the CHAdeMO protocol and ensures a high level of
versatility, stability and reliability.
In July 2013, Nissan began a test of “Vehicle-to-Building,” which is
based on “LEAF to Home,” at the Nissan Advanced Technology Center
(NATC) in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture. “Vehicle-to-Building” allows up to
six Nissan LEAFs to be connected and supply power to office buildings,
condominiums or other buildings. Users can save electricity costs by
drawing on this system at times of peak demand. In tests at the center, the
system achieved an approximately 2.5% reduction of electrical power use
during peak hours. Nissan plans to identify issues with operation of the
system and test it outside the company.