Throughout 2023 and 2024, Maryland has hit several clean energy milestones. In April 2024, Maryland passed the Vehicle-to-Grid (VTG) legislation, known as The Drive Act. This requires utilities to allow bidirectional chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) to connect to and supply the distribution during periods of peak demands, reducing strain on the congested PJM interconnection. Customers can earn compensation for providing grid services. The act also allows for the development of distributed energy resource (DER) virtual power plants that utilize home solar PV and energy storage. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/74426.pdf
The combination of solar energy, storage, and bidirectional-capable electric vehicles reduces the need for new transmission and distribution infrastructure. This transition is a positive step towards embracing and shifting to cleaner energy nationwide. The Act requires utilities to submit V2G (vehicle-to-grid) charging plans by late spring of 2025.
Elsewhere, V2G and its counterpart’s vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-building (V2B) fall under the umbrella term of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and are making progress globally. Your idle EV can provide value, even if supplying the grid isn’t your best option. Stationary and mobile batteries (EVs) have become an increasingly popular way for homes or businesses to store backup energy for grid outages. VTG and VTX are another step in building a resilient grid.
The Maryland legislation follows trials exploring energy storage technologies, applications, and ownership structures. The new virtual power plant (VPP) legislation brings Maryland on par with VPP leaders like California, Texas, and Massachusetts.
The Drive Act is a major milestone for Maryland’s clean energy transition and building a resilient grid in times of extreme weather events.