A picture paints a thousand words ;-)
So it sounds like, when I add the inverters and batteries I add another inverter that will connect to the car via V2L?
All the grid protections will be in place and properly certified.
Looking now at using 2x 5kWh inverters into 3x 8.2 kWh batteries, so I can have a 10kWh peak headroom and add third inverter for the ZS EV V2L with the expectation that the V2L is only used in more challenging scenarios, a house full of guests over Christmas, a prolonged power outage etc.
not something I have to do right away, but worth mapping out future usage/plans as it makes implementation a bit easier later on.
AC = Alternating Current (as found in household electricity)
DC = Direct Current (as found in batteries)
Inverter = Electrical device that converts AC into DC and visa-versa
V2L = Vehicle to Load. The car provides an AC voltage output to power devices connected to a suitable connector. Must not be connected to the grid or directly to your household power ring.
V2G = Vehicle to Grid. The car provides a DC output that, to a suitable bi-directional household charger, is able to connect to the household power supply and the main grid. The chargers themselves are very expensive as they have an inverter built into them. The output from the car is DC directly from the battery. I think only Nissan currently offer V2G. Ford’s new 150 does offer V2G via the CCS connector, but you need their dedicated charger to use this.
V2H = Vehicle to Home. This is very similar to V2G. However, V2H is not connected to the main Grid and is only used to power the home. With the ZS EV having a huge 73kWh, the benefits of this can easily be seen, but the ZS EV does not offer V2G or V2H.
The EV car charger fitted to your home in the simplest of terms merely routes the 240V AC from your home to your car. They become a bit more intelligent when connected to a household PV/Battery system whereby they help the PV/Battery system to decide where to to source the 240V from - household battery, solar panels and grid. But essentially they are just a connection and switch to turn a 240V supply to your car.
The MG ZS EV, and most EVs in the UK, has a single 7kW inverter built into the car.
Modern EVs (including the ZS EV) are now coming with the required software to allow at least V2L.
With V2L, the Inverter in the car will be used to convert the DC output of the battery into 240V AC that can directly power household devices. The maximum load supported by the ZS EV is around 2.2kW. With a full battery the ZE EV could run your Internet Router, PCs, TV, SKY Box, Fridge/Freezer for a couple of days in the event of a power failure.
Note that output of the V2L is AC. If you have an spare inverter in your PV/Battery system you may be able to use this to charge your home battery system from the car, but it is NOT a recommended solution. I will delve further into this.
