Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Nissan, Fermata Energy, and the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt have launched a demonstration project in California to test vehicle-to-grid technology. The initiative integrates electric vehicles (EVs) and bidirectional charging stations into a microgrid at the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) in McKinleyville.
The project uses two 2020-21 Nissan LEAF vehicles with CHAdeMO quick charge ports and four FE-20 bidirectional chargers. Fermata Energy’s Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) optimization platform is central to the demonstration, enabling automated frequency response capabilities within the microgrid. This effort aims to support grid stability, reduce energy costs for customers, and enhance resilience during power outages.
“Integrating bidirectional chargers and EVs at the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid is an innovative solution that will expand the capacity of the site, extending the capability for powering the airport during local grid outages and providing another clean energy resource for ensuring statewide grid stability,” said Mike Delaney, Vice President, Utility Partnerships and Innovation at PG&E. “The project showcases innovative Vehicle-to-Microgrid (V2M) technologies and demonstrates how EVs can support local energy needs and grid resilience.”
The RCAM is operated jointly by PG&E and the Redwood Coast Energy Authority. The demonstration incorporates advanced microgrid control functionality developed by the Schatz Center, which allows real-time balancing of solar energy production and battery storage using EV batteries.
“At Fermata Energy, we see a real opportunity to transform electric vehicles from simple modes of transportation into critical energy assets. By integrating our intelligent V2X platform and bidirectional chargers, we are delivering measurable cost savings, valuable grid services and enhanced local energy resilience. This pilot provides a scalable blueprint for communities, fleets, and utilities to harness EVs as distributed energy resources, accelerating the transition to a cleaner and more reliable grid in California and beyond,” said Hamza Lemsaddek, Chief Operating Officer of Fermata Energy.
“We are proud to have led the technical integration of this important pilot project that advances local resiliency and deep decarbonization and can play an important role in the community microgrids that are being developed across California’s rural north coast and beyond,” said David Carter, Principal Engineer at the Schatz Energy Research Center.
One 2021 Nissan LEAF was purchased by Humboldt County Aviation Division for this pilot; Nissan provided a second 2020 model under agreement with Humboldt County. These vehicles are used by county staff for work activities but also serve as mobile energy storage when not in use. Their batteries help offset electricity usage from the grid, reducing electric bills for Humboldt County.
“Nissan is proud to collaborate on innovative projects that explore how electric vehicles can contribute to energy resilience and sustainability. This pilot demonstrates the potential for EVs to support local energy needs and grid stability, and we look forward to continuing to work with partners like PG&E to explore these technologies,” said Rich Miller, Vice President of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan U.S. and Canada.
The system also enables participation in California’s Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). During periods of high demand or stress on the state’s electrical grid, signals from ELRP prompt the V2X system to discharge electricity from vehicle batteries back into the grid. This voluntary participation generates revenue while supporting statewide reliability efforts.
When RCAM operates independently from the main power grid (“islanded”), new control functions manage car-charger operations based on battery levels—either injecting power into or absorbing excess solar generation as needed.
Project partners expect insights gained will inform future designs for microgrids aligned with California’s renewable goals: 60 percent renewable electricity by 2030; 100 percent renewable or zero-carbon by 2045.
PG&E’s broader V2X pilots include partnerships with automakers such as Nissan along with financial incentives for residential or commercial customers who participate—especially those in disadvantaged communities identified under Assembly Bill 841. Incentives help offset costs associated with installing bidirectional chargers.
More information about PG&E’s V2X programs is available on their website: https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/save-energy-money/alternative-transportation/electric-vehicles/v2x-pilot-programs.page
PG&E serves over sixteen million people across Northern and Central California as part of its combined natural gas-and-electric utility operations. Additional details about PG&E can be found at https://www.pge.com/andhttps://www.pge.com/news
Fermata Energy develops V2X platform services enabling customers—including fleets—to use EVs as distributed resources supporting demand management or backup power; more information is available at https://fermataenergy.com
The Schatz Energy Research Center specializes in renewable microgrid development; further details are provided at https://schatzcenter.org/microgrids
