Volvo has invested in bidirectional EV charging startup dcbel. The automaker’s enterprise capital agency, Volvo Vehicles Tech Fund, will assist dcbel’s R&D and commercialization efforts for its house power system.

dcbel’s r16 Dwelling Power Station shall be a “renewable power ecosystem” that options bidirectional EV charging capabilities and a wise house power administration system. The system may be built-in with rooftop photovoltaic panels, and helps charging two EVs concurrently.

Power from an EV’s battery can be utilized to energy a house throughout an outage, to avoid wasting on utility prices throughout peak hours, or (theoretically) to earn cash from the native utility for offering grid companies.

dcbel’s working system, Orchestrate OS, “synchronizes with a house’s solar energy technology and stationary battery storage, and calculates the most effective methods to make use of, retailer or promote house power each 5 minutes. Householders preserve full visibility and management over their power by means of their smartphone and different related units.”

“Dwelling power administration techniques will play a significant function as we transfer in direction of bi-directionality of electrical automobiles,” mentioned Alexander Petrofski, CEO of Volvo Vehicles Tech Fund. “Rising power costs coupled with frequent blackouts are challenges confronted by shoppers right this moment, and our funding in dcbel and their know-how can assist alleviate these challenges for our clients.”

Volvo has mentioned that its upcoming EX90 would be the model’s first EV with bidirectional charging functionality.

Sources: dcbel, Electrek