Exploring the Potential of Bidirectional Charging in Residential Buildings in Germany and Brazil With a Simulation Tool
Abstract
This study analyses the potential of Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) systems in Germany and Brazil, focusing on their effects on residential self-consumption, self-sufficiency, electricity costs, and CO₂ emissions. The main contribution of this work lies in the development of a novel simulation tool and methodological approach that harmonizes high-resolution hourly time-series data for household demand, photovoltaic (PV) generation, stationary battery storage, and bidirectional electric vehicle charging across different national contexts. It is important to note that the results strongly depend on input assumptions, such as driving patterns, which in this humidity include very specific profiles. Since the pandemic, the rise in home office workers – who often benefit the most from having a \"battery on wheels\" – has significantly changed mobility behaviors. Preliminary results show that V2H can enhance household energy autonomy, though the extent of benefits differs between the two countries. In Brazil, under reference conditions, household self-sufficiency increases by around 6%, while in Germany it increases by around 5%. Higher electricity prices in Germany result in stronger economic impacts. Seasonal and daily analyses further illustrate how performance varies with solar availability and demand patterns, revealing key technical factors that determine V2H viability. The findings underline that V2H can contribute to more resilient and sustainable residential energy systems, while its largescale adoption will depend on supportive regulatory and market frameworks.
Keywords
battery electric vehicle, bidirectional charging, vehicle-to-home, simulation tool residential buildings, self-sufficiency, photovoltaics