TO: Napa County Climate Action Committee
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning, Building, and Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Ryan Melendez, Planner II - Sustainability
SUBJECT: Climate Education Video: Why Bidirectional Charging is a Big Deal
RECOMMENDATION
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PRESENTATION: Video - “Why Bidirectional EV Charging is a Big Deal” - CNET
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California
Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND
Video: “Why Bidirectional EV Charging is a Big Deal” - CNET
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77-0mQMnPQ>
*Note: Copy and paste entire link above into a web browser.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) were first invented in the early-to-mid 1800s, but have long faced challenges like limited driving range and lagging charging infrastructure. Batteries that could be recharged came along in 1859, making the electric-car idea more viable. Around 1884, inventor Thomas Parker helped deploy electric-powered trams and built prototype electric cars in England. Today, many early adopters of EVs relish them because they are quiet, easy to drive, and don’t emit harmful pollutants for human health and the environment. They also cost significantly less to maintain over the life of the vehicle. Modern EVs use lithium-ion batteries to power longer-ranged vehicles, but the challenge of lack of availability of rapid, reliable charging infrastructure still cripples the adoption of EVs globally.
In recent years, some EV automakers have touted the ability to power your home by plugging in your vehicle to home charging infrastructure and utilizing the energy stored in your vehicle. This is called Bidirectional Charging. But how exactly does Bidirectional Charging work? And what other applications could Bidirectional Charging provide as more and more infrastructure is moving towards “Electrification” or replacement of older, less efficient, and more polluting coal, oil, and fossil fuel equipment? This video by CNET provides an overview of Bidirectional Charging and how it can be used to power our homes during blackouts and even improve the resilience and reliability of the electricity grid altogether.