Chats for the Goals: Vehicle-Grid Network

The Vehicle-Grid-Network (VGN) is Australia’s first national collaboration network focused on accelerating electric vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration. Led by Climate-KIC Australia and the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS, with ARENA and RACE for 2030, the project runs from late 2025 to 2029. VGN responds to a clear need: while EV uptake is growing and bidirectional charging is gaining momentum, adoption remains complex. Consumers and businesses face questions about compatibility, connection approvals, certification, warranties and how to take part in programs. These challenges make it difficult for anyone organisation to build the market alone. VGN brings industry, government and researchers together to agree on shared priorities, strengthen technical and market foundations, build sector and consumer capability, and help position Australia as a leader in V2G. Its members span the full value chain, including vehicle and charging manufacturers, network service providers, retailers, technology and service providers, peak bodies and government.

VGN works through three working groups, each focused on a different part of the V2G challenge to ensure solutions are technically reliable, commercially workable and designed around users. Working Group 1 focuses on standards, interoperability, testing and the technical requirements needed for vehicles, chargers and the grid to work together. Working Group 2 looks at regulation and market strategy, including the commercial models, value propositions and policy settings needed for V2G to scale. Working Group 3 focuses on consumers by mapping the customer journey, identifying key values and pain points, and developing communication strategies to build trust and support uptake across different consumer groups.

Our presenter is Nam Gyu Ryu, the Research Lead in Working Group 3, and this presentation will focus on bringing a behavioural and consumer-research lens to this work; translating consumer experience into insights that the wider network can use.

This event is part of UTS Global Goals Month 2026. Explore more of the Global Goals Month program here.