Bidirectional charging enables EV batteries to act as distributed energy resources. By allowing two-way power flow, EVs can supply energy back to the grid during peak demand, helping manage complex energy flows, improve efficiency, and minimize energy loss. This flexibility supports the secure operation of distributed energy resources and strengthens grid resilience, says Vijayalayan R, Senior Manager, Application Engineering, MathWorks in an interview with Evolution Auto India.
Q: Tell us a bit about the business journey of MathWorks. What is its vision and mission?
Vijayalayan R: MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software for designing engineered systems.At MathWorks, we believe in the importance of engineers and scientists. They increase human knowledge and profoundly improve our standard of living. We created MATLAB® and Simulink® to help them accelerate discovery, innovation, development, and learning – essentially enabling them to do their best work.
Our guiding principle is to do the right thing, which is reflected in our mission across technology, business, human, and social dimensions. Building a sustainable future means taking decisive steps to address climate change. As a company, we are committed to decarbonizing our operations by focusing on three key areas: improving energy efficiency, supporting renewable energy, and investing in carbon-removal projects.
Q: How does bidirectional charging using V2G technology transform EV batteries into flexible energy storage assets for the power grid?
Vijayalayan R: Bidirectional charging enables EV batteries to act as distributed energy resources. By allowing two-way power flow, EVs can supply energy back to the grid during peak demand, helping manage complex energy flows, improve efficiency, and minimize energy loss. This flexibility supports the secure operation of distributed energy resources and strengthens grid resilience.
Q: What are the key technical and regulatory challenges in deploying V2G technology at scale, particularly in emerging markets like India?
Vijayalayan R: Scaling V2G is not just about plugging cars or two wheelers into the grid—it’s about orchestrating a dynamic system. Technically, we need converters and control systems that can handle two-way power flow reliably, while predicting when thousands of vehicles will connect. That includes robust algorithms, compliance with grid codes, and fault-tolerant designs. On the regulatory side, markets like India face additional hurdles: tariff structures, interoperability standards, and aggregation frameworks are still evolving. It is important to have clear policies and incentives in place for the technology to deliver its full potential.
Q: Could you explain the underlying working principles of bidirectional power converters used in V2G systems?
Vijayalayan R: At the heart of V2G is the bidirectional power converter. Think of it as the gateway that manages energy flow between the EV battery and the grid. It uses power electronics to regulate voltage and current and a digital control system to switch devices precisely. This combination allows the converter to operate in four quadrants—controlling both the direction of current and the polarity of voltage. That’s what makes seamless charging and discharging possible.
Q: How can detailed simulation in MATLAB and Simulink help engineers design and validate bidirectional power converters before hardware implementation?
Vijayalayan R: With MATLAB and Simulink, engineers can model the battery, the converter, and the grid connection in detail—long before any hardware is built. They can tune control algorithms, run fault scenarios, and check compliance with grid codes in a safe, repeatable environment. It’s faster, it’s less expensive, and it dramatically reduces risk. By the time you move to hardware, you already know your design works under real-world conditions.
Tools like Simscape™ ElectricalTMfor physical modeling and Embedded Coder® for production code generation make this process even more powerful, enabling engineers to transition seamlessly from concept to implementation.
Q: What role does automated code generation play in accelerating the development of bidirectional power converters?
Vijayalayan R: Once you’ve validated your design in simulation, the next step is implementation. Automated code generation takes those tested algorithms and converts them into production-quality C or HDL code. That means no manual coding errors, faster deployment, and the ability to test in real time or hardware-in-the-loop setups. It’s a critical link between concept and reality, significantly shortening development cycles.
Q: In your view, how critical is V2G technology for achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems globally?
Vijayalayan R: V2G is more than a convenience—it’s a cornerstone of future energy systems. By turning EVs into flexible storage assets, we can smooth out demand peaks, integrate renewables more effectively, and reduce reliance on fossil-fuel plants. It’s about resilience and sustainability. As adoption grows, V2G will help utilities and communities build grids that are cleaner, smarter, and far more adaptable.