GEM Success Story: WeaveGrid

SUCCESS SNAPSHOTS:

WEAVEGRID: TESTING & SHOWCASING INNOVATIONS

IN VEHICLE-TO-GRID (V2G)

CHARGING SOLUTIONS

As part of their work through the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBRC) grant, the Testing and Proving (T&P) pillar team at the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) supported the improvement of bi-directional electrical technology to facilitate Electric Vehicle (EV) interoperability and ‘Vehicle-toGrid’ (V2G) testing at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Fall 2024.

‘Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)’ refers to an emerging technology system that allows EVs to communicate with and send electricity back to the power grid. The future of this technology has potential to diversify energy storage systems, improve grid stability, and save EV owners money through dynamic pricing options (see Figure 1).

FIGURE 1: DIAGRAM OF VEHICLE-TO-GRID TECHNOLOGY. ORANGE REPRESENTS THE ELECTRICITY FLOWING FROM THE GRID TO THE EV, WHILE GREEN SYMBOLIZES THE ELECTRICITY FLOWING FROM THE EV BACK TO THE GRID.

We’ve deployed our solution into tens of thousands of homes already and have partnered with 20 different utility companies…even though business has grown, expectations in the space have also grown in terms of software capability. The work we’re doing at ACM is integral to improving our technology and data accuracy to make sure that functionality is in pace with industry standards.”

WeaveGrid is a leading software company working in V2G solutions utilizing the upgraded GEMsupported technology at ACM. Starting in early 2024, WeaveGrid has partnered with ACM to test their software solutions with support from an OFME Michigan Mobility Funding Platform grant. As a result, WeaveGrid and partners have been able to expand V2G testing, improve data accuracy, and successfully demo their technology.

EXPANDED TESTING

With ACM’s upgraded technology, WeaveGrid was able to expand testing of their software on a greater range of residential chargers and vehicles. At ACM, WeaveGrid validated their grid interactive smart technology on a dozen manufacturers’ EVs.

IMPROVED DATA ACCURACY

WeaveGrid collects information from their real-world customers, but the interoperability technology at ACM allows for unparalleled precision in electrical measurements. WeaveGrid’s rigorous data collection activities at ACM have facilitated improved validation and subsequent updates to their software development.

SHOWCASING SOLUTIONS

Though headquartered in San Francisco, WeaveGrid’s ongoing presence in the GEM region at ACM has provided opportunities to showcase and demo their technology to industry leaders. In October 2024, WeaveGrid partnered with Kia America and Wallbox Chargers as well as with DTE Energy and ACM to host a live demonstration of gridinterconnected bidirectional EV charging at the V2G Business, Policy & Technology Forum held at ACM. Integral to the demonstration was the GEM-supported residential house panel charger. Along with their partners, WeaveGrid showcased a vehicle-to-home use case that could successfully integrate a) seamless software user experience; b) interoperability with different EV models and charging solutions; c) real time, dynamic adjustments in response to changing grid conditions; and, d) smooth collaboration between software, charging, vehicle, and utility companies.

i Bortotti, M. F., Rigolin, P., Udaeta, M. E. M., & Grimoni, J. A. B. (2023). Comprehensive Energy Analysis of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration with the Power Grid: A Systemic Approach Incorporating Integrated Resource Planning Methodology. Applied Sciences, 13(20), 11119.