Massachusetts - Vehicle to X Program

[Danface]

Just heard back from TMH. Ford Lightnings can only discharge using the HIS system and FCSP.
(So solutions like the dcbel ara won't work with the Lightning)
Which is unfortunate, cause after looking at the dcbel ara on their site, it looks a solid generation ahead of the HIS.
They're also saying this would be part of Connected Solutions (similar to some of you who have home batteries and are enrolled in Connected Solutions with those):

They are also looking into options of joining: Clean Peak Energy Standard | Mass.gov
ISO New England
(For year round benefit of V2G, instead of just Connected Solutions summer peak events)

Well that kinda sucks. I just hope we can keep the configuration after the trial period, I don't have a lot of faith in either Sunrun or Ford to maintain the stack given their existing arrangement.

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[JvdMaat]

Update from Katie at TMH:

The Terms and Conditions were purposefully vague when it comes to residential charge management services from The Mobility House. To be transparent, 2026 will be the first time TMH is participating in ConnectedSolutions using V2G—we want to understand the revenues that participants can earn as a part of that program. Our intent is to keep residents enrolled in the program if they’re interested for 2027+ and offer value-stacking opportunities through ISO-NE programs or Clean Peak Standards (note: we’re exploring how we can participate in some of those programs next year). If it proves valuable, in 2027 we may introduce a revenue sharing model or subscription-based model to continue TMH services. Time will tell!

 

[JvdMaat]

Has anyone gotten an installation date yet? (I remember someone saying they were slated for an August install?)
I have been talking with Sunrun on some questions regarding our existing solar panels.
Here's the updates from that:
- The HIS just works with the F150. They will create a subpanel on which they can put some of the house loads (fridge, freezer, etc. They are checking whether our 40A geothermal is compatible since it has pump motors and a fan motor. But they can handle loads up to 50A)
- This also means existing home batteries or solar will not interact with this.
- They will wire it so that in case of a grid outage the truck can power the devices on that subpanel.
- But solar panels will not connect to that. So during an outage, the solar will not be able to charge the truck
- Ditto with home batteries.

And today MassCEC sent me an email (and I assume whomever also has solar panels) stating they are looking to see how that impacts things. (with the existing net metering)

Because your house has solar, we need to confirm that discharging your vehicle to the grid will not interfere with your existing solar net metering. We have met with the Department of Public Utilities and their final decision is still pending. Once we do have confirmation from them regarding this, we will be back in touch with you and will be able to work with you on next steps.

I do not have a timeline on this process, but I will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

So hopefully that'll get approved.
Separately (I'm in Western MA), Eversource is rolling out smart meters, and it looks like we'll get those before the end of the year.

 

[Danface]

I haven' gotten a date yet. I don't have solar and Joe (the site survey guy) mentioned that I'd most likely go early because the electrical is all new and therefore it should be pretty straightforward. I'll keep the thread posted on any updates

 

[C6Bill]

I just sent them an email as suggested on the web site, hopefully they expand the program.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

Has anyone gotten an installation date yet? (I remember someone saying they were slated for an August install?)
I have been talking with Sunrun on some questions regarding our existing solar panels.
Here's the updates from that:
- The HIS just works with the F150. They will create a subpanel on which they can put some of the house loads (fridge, freezer, etc. They are checking whether our 40A geothermal is compatible since it has pump motors and a fan motor. But they can handle loads up to 50A)
- This also means existing home batteries or solar will not interact with this.
- They will wire it so that in case of a grid outage the truck can power the devices on that subpanel.
- But solar panels will not connect to that. So during an outage, the solar will not be able to charge the truck
- Ditto with home batteries.

And today MassCEC sent me an email (and I assume whomever also has solar panels) stating they are looking to see how that impacts things. (with the existing net metering)


So hopefully that'll get approved.
Separately (I'm in Western MA), Eversource is rolling out smart meters, and it looks like we'll get those before the end of the year.

The DPU recently expanded the Cap Exempt Net Metering threshold to 25 kWac (up from 10). I believe the Delta invreter that's part of the HIS is 9 kWac, so unless you have a large existing PV system, there shouldn't be any conflict.

https://www.mass.gov/news/dpu-expands-net-metering-program

 

[JvdMaat]

The DPU recently expanded the Cap Exempt Net Metering threshold to 25 kWac (up from 10). I believe the Delta invreter that's part of the HIS is 9 kWac, so unless you have a large existing PV system, there shouldn't be any conflict.

https://www.mass.gov/news/dpu-expands-net-metering-program

I do have a sizable system for residential (SolarEdge lists it as 12.42 kWp, but it's a 4k and 6k inverter pair, so 10kW max, which on the best of days I don't get)
But with the 9.6kW from the HIS, that's still under the 25 limit.
I think the issue they're looking at is the fact that these systems are separate and do not interconnect, so there'll be two separate feeds to the grid.
Plus from what was mentioned a few months ago, this V2X demo will include Time of Use rates to make it worthwhile for the consumer. Which I do not have for my solar or current electric hookup. So how will that work effectively? Will my solar feed to the grid get those TOU rates? Will that remain fixed rate, and my regular electric intake becomes TOU along with the HIS grid feed? Bunch of red tape to get through and make sure the electric company still makes their buck.

 

[Howard_Scott_Warshaw]

I do have a sizable system for residential (SolarEdge lists it as 12.42 kWp, but it's a 4k and 6k inverter pair, so 10kW max, which on the best of days I don't get)
But with the 9.6kW from the HIS, that's still under the 25 limit.
I think the issue they're looking at is the fact that these systems are separate and do not interconnect, so there'll be two separate feeds to the grid.
Plus from what was mentioned a few months ago, this V2X demo will include Time of Use rates to make it worthwhile for the consumer. Which I do not have for my solar or current electric hookup. So how will that work effectively? Will my solar feed to the grid get those TOU rates? Will that remain fixed rate, and my regular electric intake becomes TOU along with the HIS grid feed? Bunch of red tape to get through and make sure the electric company still makes their buck.

The utility only cares about the aggregate inverter size connected in parallel to their grid. They don't care how they connect.

The TOU rate topic is interesting, and I have little to no confidence in NGRIDs/Eversources ability to figure it out.

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