On July 27, 2026, the Massachusetts utility companies Eversource and National Grid, in partnership with EnergyHub (a leading distributed energy resource management system — DERMS — platform provider), Sunrun's grid services division, and The Mobility House (a V2G technology platform specializing in smart charging and bidirectional energy management), announced the integration of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric vehicles into the ConnectedSolutions virtual power plant (VPP) program — marking the first time that EV batteries have been added as a dispatchable flexible capacity resource within a mature, multi-state VPP that already aggregates over 280,000 distributed energy resources (DERs) with more than 800MW of flexible capacity across five states. Unlike standalone V2G pilot programs that operate in isolation — managing EV charging and discharging independently of other DERs — the ConnectedSolutions integration coordinates V2G EV batteries alongside smart thermostats, residential battery storage systems, commercial demand response, and grid-interactive water heaters within a single DERMS platform, enabling cross-resource optimization that maximizes grid value. For homeowners evaluating home battery peak shaving savings investments, the ConnectedSolutions V2G integration demonstrates how the boundary between "home battery" and "car battery" is dissolving — with the EV in your garage becoming an energy asset that can earn revenue while parked, effectively accelerating the payback period for both EV ownership and home energy management.
Overview of the Technology / News
The ConnectedSolutions program, operated by Eversource and National Grid, is one of North America's most mature and successful VPP programs. Since its launch in 2019, the program has expanded from a single-state demand response offering (Massachusetts) to five states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont), aggregating over 280,000 DERs with a total flexible capacity exceeding 800MW — equivalent to the peak demand of approximately 800,000 homes or a large combined-cycle gas turbine power plant. The program's flexibility has been validated during multiple grid stress events, including the December 2022 Winter Storm Elliott (when ConnectedSolutions dispatched storage and demand response resources to reduce peak demand by 150+ MW, contributing to New England ISO's ability to maintain grid reliability during the coldest Christmas week in decades) and the July 2024 New England heatwave (when the program reduced peak demand by 200+ MW across the five-state region, avoiding the need for the ISO to call emergency operating procedures).
The integration of V2G EVs into ConnectedSolutions represents a structural expansion of the program's resource base. The V2G integration is enabled by the convergence of three technology developments: (1) the increasing availability of bidirectional-capable EVs — including the Ford F-150 Lightning (with up to 9.6kW of bidirectional power export via the Ford Charge Station Pro), the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 (with vehicle-to-load capability at up to 3.6kW), the Kia EV6 and EV9 (with similar V2L capability), and upcoming models from GM (Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV, Cadillac LYRIQ), Volvo (EX90), and Volkswagen (ID.Buzz) that include bidirectional charging hardware from the factory; (2) the deployment of bidirectional-capable EV charging infrastructure — including the Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger (launched 2025, supporting up to 9.6kW of continuous bidirectional power), the Wallbox Quasar 2 (supporting up to 11.5kW), and the dcbel r16 (supporting up to 15.2kW solar + storage + EV integration); and (3) the maturation of V2G communication protocols — including ISO 15118-20 (the international standard for bidirectional charging communication between the EV and the charging station, enabling automated, standards-based V2G dispatch without proprietary, manufacturer-specific communication protocols) and IEEE 1547-2018 (the interconnection standard for DERs that defines the requirements for grid-connected inverter-based resources, including anti-islanding, voltage ride-through, and frequency response). The EnergyHub DERMS platform integrates these technology layers to dispatch V2G EVs alongside other DERs based on real-time grid conditions, market prices, and individual EV owner preferences (minimum state of charge for driving, departure time, participation preferences).
The V2G integration architecture builds on EnergyHub's existing Mercury DERMS platform, which already manages over 1.5GW of flexible DER capacity across 60+ utility programs in North America. The platform's core innovation is its "multi-asset co-optimization" engine: rather than dispatching each DER type independently (thermostats for temperature-based demand response, batteries for energy arbitrage, EVs for V2G export), the co-optimization engine simultaneously solves for the optimal dispatch of all DER types to achieve the utility's objective (peak load reduction, frequency regulation, distribution congestion relief) while respecting each DER's operational constraints (minimum SOC, maximum temperature deviation, EV owner departure time). This co-optimization capability is what distinguishes the ConnectedSolutions V2G integration from standalone V2G pilots: by coordinating V2G export with thermostat setpoint adjustments and stationary battery discharge, the system can deliver more peak load reduction from the same set of DERs than independent dispatch would achieve, because the resources complement rather than compete with each other. For instance, during a summer evening peak, the co-optimization engine might pre-cool homes during the afternoon (using thermostat control when solar generation is abundant), discharge stationary batteries for the first 90 minutes of the peak (conserving EV battery SOC for the later portion of the peak when driving is less likely), and dispatch V2G EVs for the final 60-90 minutes of the peak — a coordinated sequence that delivers more total peak reduction than any single resource type could achieve alone. For homeowners and installers selecting energy storage inverter compatibility for residential systems, this multi-resource co-optimization paradigm is the technical foundation for how home batteries, EVs, heat pumps, water heaters, and solar inverters will be orchestrated as a unified "home energy system" rather than a collection of independent, siloed devices.
Why This Development Matters
The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration matters because it solves three challenges that have constrained V2G deployment: the 'grid value vs consumer incentive' gap, the interoperability fragmentation problem, and the scalability validation question.
The Grid Value vs Consumer Incentive Gap. V2G theoretically provides significant grid value: an EV battery (typically 60-100kWh, with 7-11kW of bidirectional power capability) can provide peak capacity (reducing the need for peaking power plants that operate <200 hours per year), frequency regulation (with sub-second response time, potentially capturing premium Fast Frequency Response prices in markets like the UK and ERCOT), distribution deferral (reducing or eliminating the need for distribution transformer and feeder upgrades in neighborhoods with high EV adoption), and behind-the-meter backup power (eliminating the need for a standalone home battery for backup applications). However, capturing this value and returning it to EV owners has proven challenging because: (1) much of the value accrues to the grid operator (avoided generation capacity cost, avoided transmission and distribution infrastructure cost) rather than the wholesale energy market where individual DER owners can participate; (2) the value is geographically specific (V2G provides more value in distribution-constrained urban areas than in rural areas with excess distribution capacity); and (3) the transaction costs of enrolling, dispatching, and settling payments for thousands or millions of individual EVs are high relative to the per-vehicle revenue opportunity. The ConnectedSolutions program solves these challenges through a utility-administered VPP model: Eversource and National Grid compensate V2G participants based on the grid value that their EV batteries provide — including avoided capacity cost, avoided energy cost, and avoided distribution cost. By aggregating these value streams into a single, simplified participant incentive payment, the utility model eliminates the complexity of individual DER owners navigating multiple wholesale market products. For homeowners who have invested in home battery vs generator backup for outage protection, the utility VPP model provides a complementary value stream: the battery (whether stationary or vehicle-mounted) earns revenue during normal grid operation while retaining the capability to provide backup power during outages — a "pay for itself while you don't need it, protect you when you do" value proposition.
Interoperability Fragmentation. The V2G industry has been fragmented by incompatible communication protocols, proprietary APIs, and manufacturer-specific implementations that have prevented EVs from different manufacturers from participating in the same VPP program. The ConnectedSolutions integration addresses this by leveraging the ISO 15118-20 standard — the international standard for bidirectional charging communication — as a mandatory participation requirement, ensuring that any EV and charger combination that supports ISO 15118-20 can participate regardless of manufacturer. Combined with the OpenADR 2.0b protocol for DER dispatch signals (an open standard developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and now maintained by the OpenADR Alliance, used by over 200 utilities and DERMS platforms globally) and IEEE 1547-2018 for grid interconnection requirements, the ConnectedSolutions V2G integration establishes a protocol stack that is manufacturer-agnostic and standards-based — a critical enabler for scalability that avoids the "walled garden" problem that has limited previous V2G pilots. For installers and homeowners evaluating smart inverter with remote monitoring for residential applications, the same standards-based interoperability principle applies: selecting equipment that supports open communication protocols rather than proprietary, manufacturer-locked communication ensures that the system can participate in future VPP programs without requiring hardware replacement.
Technical Deep Dive: V2G Power Electronics, DERMS Co-Optimization, and Battery Degradation Economics
The technical implementation of V2G at scale within a DERMS-coordinated VPP involves engineering challenges in three domains: bidirectional power electronics, multi-resource dispatch optimization, and battery degradation accounting.
Bidirectional Power Electronics — On-Board vs Off-Board Architecture. The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration supports both on-board (AC) and off-board (DC) bidirectional charging architectures. In an on-board AC architecture (used by the Ford F-150 Lightning with the Charge Station Pro), the bidirectional inverter is integrated into the vehicle's on-board charger — the same power electronics that convert AC grid power to DC for battery charging operate in reverse to convert DC battery power to AC for grid export. This architecture is limited by the thermal constraints of the on-board charger (typically 7.2-11.5kW continuous). In an off-board DC architecture (used by the Wallbox Quasar 2, dcbel r16, and Enphase Bidirectional EV Charger), the bidirectional inverter is located in the wall-mounted charging station and connects directly to the EV's DC battery bus via the CCS connector, supporting higher power levels (up to 15.2kW continuous). The EnergyHub DERMS platform communicates with both architectures through the ISO 15118-20 protocol, which defines standardized messages for EV and charger capability discovery, charge/discharge schedule negotiation, and real-time dispatch. This standardized communication layer is what enables the DERMS to treat V2G EVs as 'just another DER' — a flexible capacity resource with specific operational constraints — within the multi-resource co-optimization engine.
Multi-Resource Co-Optimization Algorithm. The EnergyHub Mercury DERMS co-optimization engine solves a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem at each dispatch interval (typically every 5-15 minutes) to determine the optimal dispatch of all DERs. The objective function maximizes total peak load reduction (MW reduction at the distribution substation level), with secondary objectives of minimizing DER owner discomfort and minimizing total DER cycling. The co-optimization challenge — and the reason that independent dispatch of each DER type produces suboptimal results — is that the DERs interact through the grid: when a stationary battery discharges to reduce net load at a distribution transformer, it reduces the net load that a V2G EV at the same transformer needs to serve, potentially making the V2G dispatch less valuable. The co-optimization engine accounts for these interactions through a "bottom-up" aggregation model: each DER's contribution to the distribution system's net load is modeled based on its location, its current state, and its forecasted state over the dispatch horizon. For system integrators designing home battery backup system review, this co-optimization paradigm provides a preview of how residential energy management systems will evolve: from simple rule-based control to optimization-based control that considers multiple forecast inputs simultaneously.
V2G Battery Degradation Economics. The most common consumer objection to V2G participation is concern about accelerated EV battery degradation. Academic studies (including comprehensive analysis by NREL, UC Davis, and the Technical University of Munich) have found that V2G cycling at 1-2 cycles per day with 10-30% depth of discharge adds approximately 0.5-1.5% incremental capacity loss per year compared to an EV used only for driving — well within the normal range of battery degradation variability. The economic analysis is straightforward: if V2G participation generates annual revenue of $500-1,500 and incremental degradation reduces battery value by $100-300 per year, the net economic benefit is positive by $200-1,200 per year — enough to significantly reduce the total cost of EV ownership. For fleet V2G applications — particularly electric school buses with 150-250kWh batteries that sit idle during summer afternoons when grid peak demand is highest — the economics are even more favorable due to larger battery capacity and higher availability during peak periods.
Real-world Applications
The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration establishes a template for utility-administered V2G VPP programs that can be replicated across multiple jurisdictions:
- Utility V2G Program Replication: The EnergyHub Mercury DERMS platform's deployment across 60+ utility programs provides a ready infrastructure for replicating the ConnectedSolutions V2G model. Any utility already using EnergyHub's DERMS platform can add V2G as an additional resource type within their existing VPP — leveraging the same communication infrastructure, dispatch optimization, and customer enrollment systems. This "add V2G to existing VPP" model reduces the time from regulatory approval to customer enrollment from 2-3 years to 6-12 months.
- Fleet V2G as a VPP Gateway Application: Fleet V2G — where commercial and municipal electric vehicle fleets participate in VPP programs — represents a faster path to V2G scale than consumer V2G because fleet operators own multiple vehicles with large, predictable charging schedules, have professional energy management teams, and can sign longer-term participation agreements (3-5 years). The ConnectedSolutions fleet V2G pilots — particularly the school bus application — will generate operational data that informs large-scale fleet V2G programs and establishes the economic benchmark for V2G as a fleet revenue stream.
- V2G as a Bridge to Residential Storage Adoption: The V2G value proposition serves as an entry point for consumers who might not otherwise consider distributed energy resources. An EV owner who participates in V2G through ConnectedSolutions and sees tangible financial returns is a prime candidate for additional DER adoption — adding rooftop solar, adding a stationary battery, and upgrading to a smart inverter with remote monitoring that integrates all of these resources into a unified home energy system. In this cascade model, V2G is not just a grid service — it is the 'on-ramp' to broader residential DER adoption.
Industry Impact / Market Implications
V2G as Accelerator of Utility Business Model Transformation. The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration accelerates the transformation of utility business models from 'sell kilowatt-hours' to "orchestrate distributed energy resources." In the traditional utility model, electricity sales revenue funds the fixed costs of infrastructure. As DER adoption reduces electricity sales while increasing the DER capacity that the utility must integrate, the volumetric revenue model becomes unsustainable. The VPP model — where the utility earns revenue for managing DERs that provide grid services — replaces the volumetric revenue model with a 'platform' revenue model, where the utility's value is its ability to coordinate millions of DERs to maintain grid reliability. The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration — adding a major new resource type with estimated 500-1,000 GWh of battery capacity in the US vehicle fleet by 2030 — is a tangible step in this transformation.
DERMS as the Critical Infrastructure Layer. The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration highlights that the DERMS platform is becoming as critical to grid operations as the SCADA/EMS platforms that have managed centralized generation for decades. EnergyHub's Mercury platform, with 1.5GW of flexible capacity under management (and growing at 50-100% annually), is approaching the scale where platform reliability, cybersecurity, and latency requirements become comparable to those of grid control centers. Recognizing this criticality, NERC is developing reliability standards for DER aggregations (expected to be finalized in 2027-2028), which will impose mandatory cybersecurity, availability, and performance requirements on DERMS platforms — establishing DERMS as a regulated, critical infrastructure system.
Future Outlook
The ConnectedSolutions V2G integration will be recognized as the milestone where V2G transitioned from "promising pilot" to "dispatchable grid resource." Three developments will define V2G's trajectory through 2032:
First, utility-administered VPP programs with V2G integration will expand from the current ConnectedSolutions footprint (5 states, 280,000 DERs, 800MW) to 25-30 states and 5-10 million DERs by 2032, aggregating 10-20GW of flexible capacity — equivalent to 15-30 large combined-cycle gas turbine power plants. The economic driver is the avoided infrastructure cost: each GW of VPP capacity that displaces the need for a new peaking power plant saves electricity consumers $500 million to $1 billion in capital cost.
Second, ISO 15118-20 will become mandatory for all new EVs and bidirectional chargers sold in North America by 2028-2030 — either through voluntary industry adoption or through regulatory mandate (similar to California's requirement for bidirectional charging by 2027 model year). Standardized bidirectional communication eliminates the interoperability fragmentation that has constrained V2G growth, enabling any standards-compliant EV to participate in any standards-compliant VPP program.
Third, the integration of V2G with retail electricity pricing — specifically, time-of-use rates with dynamic, market-reflective pricing — will create an additional economic driver for V2G participation independent of utility VPP programs. An EV owner on a time-of-use rate that charges $0.05/kWh during overnight off-peak hours and $0.30-0.50/kWh during summer afternoon peak hours can capture the spread through "retail arbitrage" — charging the EV overnight at low prices and discharging during peak hours. The combination of VPP program revenue + retail rate arbitrage + backup power capability creates a 'triple value stack' for V2G-capable EVs. For homeowners and installers evaluating home battery peak shaving savings for backup and energy management, the V2G revolution adds a new dimension to the storage investment calculus: the largest battery in most households will be parked in the garage — and the technology to connect it to the home and the grid is being deployed today in programs like ConnectedSolutions.
