Portuguese Island to Host Renault EV-to-Grid Project

Renault announces its intention to create the first “smart” island to extend R&D into electric-vehicle ecosystems.

The automaker already produces, transports and distributes and sells electricity on the two inhabited Portuguese islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, and it has selected the latter as its first end-to-end EV infrastructure solution.

In cooperation with the government of the autonomous region of Madeira, the program will roll out in Porto Santo and be called Sustainable Porto Santo – Smart Fossil-Free Island, to facilitate the energy transition.

Local energy provider EEM, in charge of the project’s energy and electric mobility, has chosen Renault as its partner.

This world-first smart island uses EVs, second-life batteries, smart charging and vehicle-to-grid to boost the island’s energy independence and stimulate the production of renewable energy. Renault, EEM and other partners have been working since the beginning of the year on the project, which is expected to last 18 months.

The project comprises three phases. Initially, 20 volunteer motorists in Porto Santo will drive 14 Zoe and six Kangoo Z.E. electric vehicles for their everyday use. These EVs will benefit from smart charging thanks to the 40 connected public and private charging points set up by EEM and Renault on the island.

Secondly, by the end of 2018, the vehicles will step up their interaction with the grid by providing it with electricity during peak hours. In addition to being smart-charged, the EVs will serve as temporary energy storage units.

Thirdly, second-life batteries from Renault EVs will be used to store the fluctuating supply of energy produced by Porto Santo’s solar and wind farms. Some of these batteries come from Madeira Island.

Eric Feunteun, Renault’s electric vehicles and new business program director, says: “We are delighted to be teaming up with EEM today to establish this unprecedented smart electric ecosystem, which demonstrates to what extent the electric revolution is changing our everyday lives beyond just transport.

“Our aim is to build a model that can be carried over to other islands, eco-districts and cities while consistently striving to achieve large-scale rollout of electric mobility solutions that are affordable for all.”