Leap, a platform for building and scaling virtual power plants (VPPs), and the ChargeScape automotive joint venture delivering vehicle-grid integration have unveiled a new partnership to accelerate EV participation in grid services programs across the United States.
The companies say they aim to build the nation’s largest EV virtual power plant capable of providing urgently-needed capacity for electric grids while putting cash back in the wallets of EV drivers across the country.
ChargeScape provides a unified EV charging platform that connects power grids with major automotive brands including BMW, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Tesla. Leap’s software-only solution offers automated access to energy markets, enabling EVs and other distributed energy resources (DERs) to participate in a wide range of demand response and other grid services programs through a universal interface.
Leap and ChargeScape say that leveraging these complementary technologies, automakers can easily unlock the full value of EVs as revenue-generating grid assets - and do so at scale.
“Joining forces with Leap will allow ChargeScape to offer new revenue streams to the automakers using our platform,” said Joseph Vellone, CEO of ChargeScape. “More than that, we’re delighted to be able to put money back in the pockets of EV drivers across America and do our part to make EV ownership more affordable and accessible for everyone.”
The partnership intends to unlock new revenue opportunities for EVs both through smart charging (V1G) - reducing demand during periods of high grid demand - and through bi-directional power export, including vehicle-to-grid (V2G). Through streamlined access to the California wholesale market, automakers on the ChargeScape platform can earn new revenue in Resource Adequacy and the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP), in addition to the statewide Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program.
“Partnering with ChargeScape expands Leap’s network of automakers and enhances our ability to tap into previously inaccessible EV assets,” said Jason Michaels, CEO of Leap. “By combining Leap’s market automation platform with ChargeScape’s direct automaker integration capabilities, we’re accelerating EV participation in VPPs at a time when the grid needs it most.”
After launching in California, the companies plan to extend coverage to other geographies across the US. Together, Leap and ChargeScape expect to expand the availability of grid services revenue opportunities, strengthen US grid resiliency, and pave the way for broader EV participation in virtual power plants across the country.
