SANTA CLARA, CA – September 10, 2025 – Nissan, in collaboration with ChargeScape, has launched a new vehicle-to-grid (V2G) pilot program in Silicon Valley, turning electric vehicles (EVs) into crucial assets for the region’s strained power grid. The initiative aims to alleviate the surging electricity demand, particularly from AI-driven data centers, by utilizing parked EV batteries to export power back to the grid during peak times.
The pilot, operating within Silicon Valley Power (SVP) territory at Nissan’s Advanced Technology Center, is a strategic response to the escalating energy needs of one of the world’s leading data center hubs. This forward-thinking program is supported by the California Energy Commission’s Demand Side Grid Support (DSGS) program and forms part of ChargeScape and Leap’s broader California Virtual Power Plant.
Addressing Silicon Valley’s Growing Energy Demands
Silicon Valley is experiencing an unprecedented surge in electricity consumption, largely driven by the rapid expansion of AI technologies and the data centers required to power them. This increased demand has put significant pressure on existing power grids, which were not initially designed to accommodate such rapid growth. Utilities like Silicon Valley Power are actively seeking innovative solutions to enhance power supply and ensure grid reliability for all customers.
Rich Miller, Vice President of Vehicle Connected Services at Nissan U.S., emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “Through this collaboration, we’re showcasing how electric vehicles can reinforce our communities’ electrical needs and deliver meaningful benefits to drivers.” Joseph Vellone, CEO of ChargeScape, highlighted the role of EVs in maintaining the region’s technological edge: “Integrating Nissan’s EV batteries into Silicon Valley Power’s grid is a crucial first step to shoring up long-term grid reliability and rewarding the EV drivers who are part of the solution.”
How Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology Works
The core of this pilot lies in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows electric vehicles to not only draw power from the grid for charging but also to send excess energy back to the grid. In this program, energy stored in Nissan EV batteries will be discharged during periods of high grid strain.
Bidirectional Charging and Smart Management
Fermata Energy’s bidirectional chargers are central to this operation, enabling the two-way flow of power between the EVs and the grid. ChargeScape acts as the orchestrator, coordinating with market partner Leap to intelligently discharge power from Nissan vehicles when needed, effectively freeing up supply for critical loads like data centers. Hamza Lemsaddek, Chief Operating Officer of Fermata Energy, noted, “At Fermata Energy, we are demonstrating how V2X optimization can transform electric vehicles into intelligent grid resources.” He added that this approach proves EVs can “strengthen data center reliability, support utilities like Silicon Valley Power, and deliver real economic value back to drivers and communities.”
Economic Incentives for EV Owners and Future Expansion
A key aspect of this initiative is the potential for economic benefits for participating EV drivers. By allowing their vehicles to supply power to the grid, owners will have the opportunity to earn money, a mechanism ChargeScape believes will contribute to making EVs more affordable in the long run.
This pilot program is designed to serve as a blueprint for broader V2G integration. ChargeScape aims to lay the groundwork for similar programs across California and other U.S. states, demonstrating the vast potential of EVs as flexible and dispatchable grid resources. The success of such initiatives could redefine the role of electric vehicles, transforming them from mere transportation into integral components of a robust and resilient energy infrastructure.
