NEWARK – The University of Delaware (UoD) has signed the first licence for its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology with AutoPort Inc., a major vehicle processing and modification facility in New Castle, Delaware. Under the terms of the licencing agreement, AutoPort has been granted non-exclusive rights in the area of commercial fleet vehicles.

The agreement launches the first large-scale demonstration of the UoD-developed V2G technology, which enables electric car owners to plug in their vehicles and send electricity back to electrical utilities. The system is designed to generate cash for the driver, while strengthening the USA's power supply and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The UoD agreement with Autoport stands to benefit not only the owners of electric cars, but also the regional economy, and the University, which will get R&D experience as the technology goes into real-world use. If the initial test is successful, and V2G vehicles are subsequently manufactured, the University would receive a royalty for each vehicle sold with V2G equipment.

David Weir, Director of the Office of Economic Innovation & Partnerships, which negotiated the licencing agreement, said: “This is an important step forward in the development of a prospective new 'green' industry. We've formed a partnership to test this novel technology, which could generate significant future jobs and economic growth in the state of Delaware and the region, in addition to yielding important environmental benefits.”

During the next year, AutoPort plans to retrofit the first 100 V2G cars as a proof-of-concept demonstration of the technology, which was developed by Willett Kempton, a Professor in UoD's College of Earth, Ocean & Environment, and UoD research fellow Jasna Tomic.

First in the world

The New Castle company's director of business development, Dick Johnson, said: “AutoPort is excited to be the first company in the world licenced to practice this V2G technology. We are looking forward to working closer with the University and AC Propulsion to demonstrate the first large-scale V2G project.”

Based in San Dimas, California, AC Propulsion makes the electric drive system and designed the eBox, an all-electric car. It has added V2G features as a result of working with UoD researchers.

Mr Johnson said that AutoPort would work with major companies in the area to demonstrate the V2G concept. A minimum of 60 vehicles is needed to produce one megawatt of power when the vehicles are plugged into the grid.

The company currently is completing four vehicles for the State of Delaware and expects to have the first 100 vehicles produced in the next 12 to 18 months, Mr Johnson noted.

“We believe there is a great potential to increase the number of conversions from hundreds to thousands of vehicles, and this means a significant growth of jobs for Delaware,” he continued. “The estimate for additional jobs at a thousand conversions is approximately 250. So, as the numbers increase, so do jobs for Delaware.”

Fully-depreciated asset

Although the first vehicle conversions have been to Toyota Scions, Mr Johnson said that other car models are being considered, and the company is approaching some of their large-fleet customers about converting their three to five-year-old Chevrolet vans.

“This has great appeal to them because we are extending the useful life of a fully-depreciated asset and making it into a maintenance-free revenue-producing vehicle on the grid,” Mr Johnson added.

The 2009 study titled Betting on Science: Disruptive Technologies in Transport Fuels by Accenture, a global consulting group, acknowledges the potential of V2G, highlighting how demonstration projects to date “have proved that V2G has the potential to significantly disrupt supply and demand relationships – with end electricity consumers potentially becoming an essential grid storage resource – and to change the landscapes for electric power and transport fuels.”

In September 2009, Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed Senate Bill 153, which rewards owners of V2G technology for plugging into the grid, compensating them for electricity sent back to the grid at the same rate they pay for electricity to charge their car battery.

Securing funds

A Bill introduced in Congress in December 2009 would provide funding to the Department of Energy and U.S. Postal Service to convert existing mail trucks and manufacture new ones to use the UoD-developed V2G technology.

“We're at the cusp of a prospective new industry,” said Bradley Yops, assistant director of the Intellectual Property Centre in the Office of Economic Innovation & Partnerships, and lead negotiator of the licence agreement. “AutoPort is an ideal partner for us, and we're excited about the possibilities. This is a first step toward what we hope will constitute a long-term, successful partnership.”

For additional information about V2G licencing opportunities, send an e-mail to UoD's Office of Economic Innovation & Partnerships at oeip-info@udel.edu