Despite new coal plants, India is set to face more power cuts by 2027,”

says researchers from the India Energy and Climate Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

However, according to projections, by 2030, India’s power consumption is expected to skyrocket to an astounding 3,000 TWh.You question, what’s generating this surge? Well, it’s the growth of data centers and the quick uptake of electric cars (EVs).

And this brings up memories of the “9-minute blackout” that occurred in 2020, when millions of people shut off their lights in solidarity, sending the grid into a crisis mode. That incident threw light (or rather, took it away) on the fragility of India’s grid balance and infrastructure. The struggle to balance the power demands among various consumers and the grid keeps prevailing.

This is exactly where cutting-edge technologies step in. The teaming up of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, smart charging, and energy pooling as
“ Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)” is going to transform EVs into valuable assets for the grid, contributing energy back to the system when it’s needed most.

But before we dive into the mechanics, let’s break down the science behind Virtual Power Plants — a solution that’s very real, despite what the name might suggest.

How VPPs and EVs are pairing up to power the future?

Virtual power plants are digital power plants that function as a single, mega energy producer by managing multiple energy sources and scheduling their works and roles as per the energy demands. With advanced Charging Management Systems (CMS) as their trusty sidekicks, VPPs keep track of when and how much energy is being produced, stored, or consumed. By doing this, they make sure the lights stay on and the grid doesn’t get stage fright when demand spikes.

VPPs don’t just produce energy, they manage it like pros. They gather energy from all sorts of sources — solar panels, wind farms, you name it — and pool it into one giant power bank, which is the grid. Then they start being a traffic cop deciding the flow of energy and ensuring there is no imbalance in the stream overall.

What do your EVs have to do with it?

When VPPs become a reality in India, your EV cars will be not just four-wheelers that take you to places, but also Energy providers. When you don’t have any road trips planned on your weekends, you could sign up to contribute power from your fully charged EV battery. This smart energy exchange is known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, where your car gives back to the grid, helping balance energy demand while it sits parked. Not to mention, you’ll get paid for it too! So, it’s just you and your car on a lazy Sunday evening, quietly boosting your wallet while helping save the planet.

Wrapping it up!

As India continues to excel in its energy revolution, power cuts and blackouts shouldn’t stand as hindrances — like trying to drink water with a spoon. With existing technologies like virtual power plants (VPPs), we can transform electric vehicles (EVs) into integral components of our sustainability venture. This teaming up not only enables individuals to actively participate in the “green energy revolution” but also to mint money.