Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Nissan, and Fermata Energy are collaborating on a first-of-its-kind demonstration of automated frequency capabilities integrating electric vehicles and bi-directional chargers with a multi-customer microgrid to provide grid support and enhance energy resilience. PG&E, Nissan, Fermata Energy, and the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, along with the Humboldt County Aviation Division, have implemented Fermata Energy's Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) optimization platform integrated using two previous generation model year 2020-21 Nissan LEAF vehicles equipped with CHAdeMO quick charge ports and four bidirectional FE-20 charging stations at the Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) in McKinleyville, Calif. RCAM is jointly operated by PG&E and the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Humboldt County's local energy provider.
The capacity and capabilities of the microgrid are enhanced to enable the advanced automated grid frequency response demonstration of Fermata Energy's V2X platform, an important part of PG&E's grid resilience efforts and an industry-first accomplishment. The project also incorporates advanced microgrid control functionality developed by the Schatz Center, allowing the EVs to support the microgrid in balancing solar energy and battery energy storage in real time, enhancing both local resilience and broader grid stability.
