Nissan EVs will help power Silicon Valley’s data centers

Nissan and ChargeScape just launched a new EV-to-grid (V2G) pilot in Silicon Valley, where demand on the power grid is growing fast thanks to the rapid rise of AI-driven data centers. The pilot is backed by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program and is happening in utility Silicon Valley Power (SVP) territory.

Here’s how it works: At Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center in Silicon Valley, energy stored in Nissan EV batteries will be exported back to the grid during peak demand. Fermata Energy’s bidirectional chargers will handle the two-way power flow. ChargeScape will coordinate with virtual power plant builder Leap to discharge energy from the EVs. The goal is to ease strain on the grid so that Silicon Valley’s hungry data centers can keep running smoothly.

This pilot is part of ChargeScape and Leap’s larger California Virtual Power Plant effort. The companies say the project highlights how EVs can serve as grid resources, not just vehicles.

“Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles can reinforce our communities’ electrical needs and deliver meaningful benefits to drivers,” said Rich Miller, vice president of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan US.

ChargeScape calls the integration of Nissan EV batteries into the grid a crucial step toward long-term reliability as AI continues to drive up power demand.

Fermata Energy points to its AI-enabled V2X optimization platform as proof that EVs can help utilities and deliver economic value to drivers and communities.

“Activating these vehicles as flexible, dispatchable grid resources is a game-changing tool to help utilities manage higher loads and unlock economic growth while putting dollars back in the hands of ratepayers,” said Jason Michaels, CEO of Leap.

The pilot is meant to lay the groundwork for other V2G programs across California and beyond. Participating EV drivers will earn money for providing energy back to the grid, and ChargeScape believes this kind of incentive could make EVs more affordable in the long run.

Read more: One of California’s top V2G electric school bus fleets just came online

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