The carmaker has supplied a specially converted Accord Plug-in Hybrid to the eV2g project, run by the University of Delaware and utility company NRG Energy Inc, who have been collaborating on a vehicle-to-grid system since late 2011.

Launched earlier this year, eV2g monitors the status of the electrical grid to find out if it needs additional power sources. It can then automatically draw upon electricity stored in a car’s battery as a backup source, reducing or eliminating power fluctuations caused by renewable energy sources. For the first time, eV2g allows this to generate revenue.

The Honda Accord is equipped with a compatible bi-directional on-board charger, which will discharge the battery as required and proactively recharge when grid supply exceeds demand. Tests are ongoing at the university’s Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus to find out the full benefits of the technology.