Key Takeaways:
- Innovative V2G Technology: Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor (Profile), and Borg Warner’s collaboration unveil the Monarch MK-V tractor’s Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities.
- Supported by CEC Grant: The project, backed by a $3 million California Energy Commission (CEC) grant, aims to advance “Vehicle to Building” technology.
- High-Power Energy Export: This technology integration enables the Monarch MK-V tractor to function as a high-power electric generator in addition to its agricultural roles.
- Economic and Environmental Gains: Owners of the MK-V tractor could see reduced charging costs and new revenue streams through dynamic rate and demand response programs.
- Scalable and Flexible: The system promises to support automated load management, offering scalable solutions for agricultural and other facilities.
Pioneering a Sustainable Future
In a recent demonstration at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services center in San Ramon, California, a consortium of Gridtractor, Monarch Tractor, and Borg Warner illustrated the cutting-edge Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities of the electric Monarch MK-V tractor. Funded by a generous $3 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC), this project signifies a significant step towards innovative “Vehicle to Building” technology.
Technology Meets Sustainability
“The Monarch MK-V tractor’s ability to seamlessly export high-power energy is a game-changer for agricultural sustainability and efficiency,” said a representative from Gridtractor. This was demonstrated through an integrated system comprising the Monarch MK-V, Gridtractor’s open-standards charge management system, and Borg Warner’s 60 kW DC Fast Charger. The tractor itself serves multiple roles: a traditional agricultural vehicle, a utility vehicle, and an electric generator.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
This integrated V2G system is anticipated to offer substantial benefits to tractor owners. “By minimizing charging costs and potentially earning revenue through energy programs, we’re looking at a future where sustainable farming practices are also economically advantageous,” stated a the company. Gridtractor’s energy market integrations and load scheduling applications are central to unlocking these benefits.
Automating Agricultural Efficiency
The consortium highlighted the potential for “automated load management,” which coordinates the charging and discharging of the tractor with other electrical demands on-site. This approach optimizes electrical service use without overextension, ideal for various facilities, including wineries and irrigation sites. “The flexibility and scalability provided by our IoT and market integrations are key to connecting energy markets with Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) applications,” noted a representative from Borg Warner.
Forward-Thinking Agricultural Electrification
With incentives, grants, and savings from dynamic rates programs, agricultural customers are poised to improve the ROI of electrifying their tractor fleets significantly. “Electrifying agricultural operations doesn’t just contribute to grid reliability—it represents a commitment to the future of our planet,” added the CEC.
Image provided by The Monarch
