Human beings are known for many different things, but most importantly, they are known for getting better on a consistent basis. This progressive tendency of ours has notably allowed us to hit upon some huge milestones, with technology appearing as a rather unique member of the stated group. The reason why technology’s credentials are so anomalous is based on its skill-set, which was unprecedented enough to realize all the possibilities for us that we couldn’t have imagined otherwise. Nevertheless, if we look a little closer, it should become clear how the whole runner was also very much inspired by the way we applied those skills across a real-world environment. The latter component was, in fact, what gave the creation a spectrum-wide presence and made it the ultimate centrepiece of every horizon. Having such an ingenious tool run the show unsurprisingly scaled up the human experience from all conceivable directions, but even after reaching so far, the prodigious concept of technology will somehow continue to deliver every right good in the book. This dynamic has turned more and more evident over the recent past, and assuming a newly-formed collaboration works out just like envisioned, it should only be looking to get stronger in the near future and beyond.

Just a few days after Tesla announced its plans to optimize electricity consumption in Texas, Toyota Motor North America has given the state another huge energy-related development, and it has done so by collaborating with Oncor Electric Delivery (Oncor), a Texas-based electric transmission and distribution company. But how will this collaboration impact the area’s energy landscape? Well, the two companies are basically expected to work on a pilot program for the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) a technology, which allows vehicles to flow energy from their battery back onto the electric grid. Going by the available details, the purpose of this program will be to help Toyota and Oncor in becoming better positioned with their support of the wider EV charging ecosystem.

“Electrification is coming, and it’s Oncor’s job to build a safer, smarter, more reliable electric grid that can enable the needs of our customers, the state of Texas and the ERCOT market. This project marks the first collaboration of its kind between Oncor and an OEM manufacturer, and we are excited to work with a world-class technology leader like Toyota to better understand how the electric grid can enable V2G transactions across the Oncor service territory,” said Jim Greer, Oncor’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

The partners will kick things off by focusing on a project which will use Oncor’s research and testing microgrid at its System Operating Services Facility (SOSF) in south Dallas. Talk about the SOSF microgrid, it is understood to be comprised of four smaller and interconnected microgrids that can be controlled independently, but also operated in parallel, tandem or combined into a single, larger system. Here, we will also have a “V2G” charger, solar panels, and a battery storage system so to make the stated evaluation as in-depth as possible. Interestingly enough, Toyota has picked its BEV to be the vehicle subject in this research.

“We envision a future where Toyota BEVs provide a best-in-class mobility experience, but also can be utilized by our customer to power their homes, their communities or even power back the electric grid in times of need,” said Christopher Yang, group vice president of Toyota Electric Vehicle Charging Solutions team. “Our collaboration with Oncor is an important step for us to understand the needs of utilities, as we plan to work closely with them to ensure every community can embrace Toyota’s shift to electrified vehicles.”

Once the study’s initial phase is duly completed, the next step would be to initiate a trial with BEVs that are connected at homes or businesses around Oncor’s service area. This, from a more microscopic standpoint, will get future Toyota EVs to become much more accommodating of their customers’ beyond-the-automotive needs, while also guiding Oncor in terms of how to develop a robust vehicle charging infrastructure.