Nissan LEAF Enhanced Bidirectional Charger and V2X Platform Approved

Photo credit: Nissan

Nissan has authorized an improved Fermata Energy bidirectional charger for  the Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF is the only fully electric passenger car in the United States that can feed energy back into the grid. It was the first mass-produced electric car with bidirectional capability. The next-generation Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger passed crucial Nissan requirements and obtained clearance for use with the Nissan LEAF in addition to the necessary UL and CHAdeMO certifications. In order to assist balance peak energy demand and possibly result in cost savings for the electric utility, the FE-20 charger has the ability to either charge the battery of a Nissan LEAF or transfer energy stored in the parked car back to a building or power grid.

Fermata Energy’s bidirectional Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology was tested in a proof-of-concept trial at Nissan Americas Headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. The FE-20’s predecessor, the FE-15, assisted in lowering electricity costs by over $9,450 over the course of four years, or almost $2,000 yearly on average. The upcoming Fermata Energy FE-20 bidirectional charger and the most recent Fermata Energy intelligent V2X software platform would expand on their prior success with the following innovations, given the favorable outcomes of the FE-15 trial:  More power by 33%, UL 1741-SA certification, and support for IEEE 2030.5, which is required for the Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP) to operate in accordance with California Rule 21 Better design means quicker, cheaper production and lower retail costs.

These improvements will facilitate easier access to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology for Nissan fleet clients and dealers, enabling them to maximize energy efficiency and possibly save utility and charging costs.

“The FE-20 is the latest generation Fermata Energy bidirectional charger and advanced, intelligent V2X software bringing enhanced technology and features that optimize the full bidirectional charger capabilities of Nissan LEAF,” said Kent O’Hara, president of Nissan’s 4R battery business. “In 2013, Nissan LEAF became the first fully bidirectional-capable electric vehicle launched in the U.S. with a proven track record in the advanced area of Vehicle-Grid Integration (VGI). The FE-20 offers valuable energy cost reduction capability to Nissan LEAF fleet customers.”

The vehicle’s warranty is unaffected by using the V2X software platform and Fermata Energy FE-20 charger. In some states, parked Nissan LEAF vehicles that are compatible with bidirectional charging (model year 2013 and later) may send energy stored in the battery to the electrical grid during high-demand times. Fermata Energy’s V2X software platform monitors a building’s electrical usage and has the option to draw power from the Nissan LEAF’s battery during high-demand, high-cost periods.

With the goal of assisting fleets and dealerships in optimizing their energy usage and cutting expenses, Fermata Energy chargers and its V2X software platform are presently being used in over 30 verified V2G installations across the United States with Nissan LEAF vehicles. Interested in finding out more about the Nissan LEAF’s capabilities?

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