Horizon Power has completed a 12-month trial in Exmouth that could reshape how Australians think about electric vehicles (EVs). The study tested vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows EVs not just to draw power from the grid but also to send energy back. For residents, this means an EV could eventually function as both a car and a household power station. For the wider grid, it offers a stabilising force during times of peak demand.
The Exmouth trial marked the first of its kind in Western Australia. By equipping households, businesses, and community partners with V2G-compatible Nissan Leaf vehicles and smart-charging devices, Horizon Power set out to explore how far this emerging technology could go. The findings are clear: EV batteries can provide reliable support to local power systems, lower household bills, and build resilience for regional communities.
Turning Cars Into Power Stations
At the core of the project was Horizon Power’s Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS). This system integrates data from rooftop solar, weather forecasts, and customer usage to make smart decisions about energy flows. Instead of a one-way street where electricity moves from a central power station to homes, DERMS managed two-way charging. The system directed EVs when to charge and when to discharge, balancing local supply and demand in real time.
For residents in Exmouth, the results were promising. Vehicles could be used to power homes during high-demand evenings and then recharge using surplus solar the next day. Families saw how this loop could one day cut their power bills, particularly in sunny regions where excess solar generation is already common. For businesses and public services, the experiment showed that EVs could reduce their reliance on costly grid upgrades or backup diesel generators.
Regional Energy Challenges and Opportunities
Remote communities in Western Australia face unique energy challenges. Distance from central power stations makes them more dependent on microgrids. Fuel transport adds costs, and outages can have serious consequences, especially for healthcare facilities and emergency services. The trial demonstrated how EVs could help smooth these issues by acting as decentralised storage units.
DERMS had already been easing grid capacity constraints by integrating more rooftop solar. The addition of EV storage expanded those capabilities. By anticipating solar availability and forecasting weather, DERMS coordinated energy input and output, ensuring system stability without sacrificing customer needs.
The Broader Policy Context
The trial forms part of the Cook Government’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan, which is pushing to expand EV adoption across WA. Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson hailed the trial as a major milestone. She emphasised that EV batteries are not just tools for mobility but powerful assets in the state’s clean energy transition.
“The findings confirmed for Horizon Power that its technology can manage EV charging and discharging intelligently,” Sanderson said. “This paves the way for flexible, customer-led energy products where EVs help stabilise the grid, power homes, and cut energy costs.”
This shift aligns with global trends. Countries such as Japan, the UK, and the Netherlands are already experimenting with V2G networks. In those markets, households are beginning to earn money by selling surplus electricity back to the grid. Australia’s vast uptake of rooftop solar—already the highest per capita in the world—makes it well-suited for such models.
Local Partnerships, Global Implications
Collaboration was key to the trial’s success. Horizon Power worked alongside the Gascoyne Development Commission, the Shire of Exmouth, the Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and WA Country Health Service. Each partner received a Nissan Leaf EV and smart-charging equipment to test under real-world conditions.
For the health service, reliable backup power is critical. For local businesses, reducing bills while keeping operations resilient matters just as much. For households, the ability to use an EV as both transport and energy storage opens entirely new possibilities.
Globally, the implications are significant. Energy systems everywhere are grappling with rising demand, intermittent renewables, and pressure to decarbonise. Vehicle-to-grid technology offers a way to meet those demands without overbuilding infrastructure. EV batteries, often sitting idle 90% of the time, become dynamic assets in a smarter, more flexible grid.
Practical Benefits for Consumers
For consumers, the promise is simple: lower energy bills, improved reliability, and more choice. Imagine plugging in your car after work and knowing it will automatically feed electricity back into your home during peak hours. Instead of paying premium rates for grid electricity, you are drawing on energy you already stored.
In time, V2G could even allow households to participate in local energy markets. By feeding surplus power back to the grid during high-demand periods, families might receive credits or direct payments. The trial has shown this is technically possible in WA’s microgrids. Scaling it up across the state, however, will require investment in infrastructure and careful regulation.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its promise, V2G is not without hurdles. The technology requires standardisation of chargers, cars, and grid systems to ensure compatibility. Battery degradation is another concern, though studies suggest that controlled charging and discharging can actually prolong battery life rather than shorten it.
Equally important is building trust with consumers. Households will need clear information on costs, savings, and technical requirements. Policymakers must also ensure that the benefits flow to regional and lower-income households, not just early adopters in wealthier suburbs.
The Next Steps
Horizon Power is now using the trial’s findings to design new products for customers. These could include household energy packages that integrate solar panels, EVs, and home storage systems under a single management platform. Future upgrades to DERMS will allow even more flexible interactions between customers and the grid.
The trial also contributes to Western Australia’s broader climate goals. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving renewable integration, V2G can play a direct role in cutting emissions. It also supports Australia’s national target of reaching net zero by 2050, with regional communities leading the way.
A Roadmap for the Future
The Exmouth trial has proven that vehicle-to-grid technology works in real conditions. More importantly, it has shown how EVs can evolve from being transport devices into cornerstones of the clean energy system. With rooftop solar already widespread, and battery prices continuing to fall, WA has the chance to pioneer a model others may follow.
In the years ahead, success will depend on scaling up pilots, refining regulations, and engaging consumers. If those steps are taken, the car in your driveway could become one of the most powerful tools in Australia’s energy transition. The Exmouth trial is not just a technical milestone. It is a glimpse into a future where every household vehicle doubles as a node in a resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy network.
