Driving change: How EVs could help balance our grid
January 21, 2026
By Ben Bowler
Ben Bowler writes about innovative ideas around harnessing electric vehicles in communities for TransportXtra
Drivers are increasingly embracing electric vehicles (EVs), and it’s in their growing use we can find a forward-thinking opportunity.
Providing communities with vehicle to grid (V2G) charging points allows the power stored in an EV battery to flow back to the grid when it’s not being used—feeding it back to the local distribution network to alleviate grid constraints and improve renewable energy integration in the areas where they’re plugged in.
Share
-
Working with our Renewables and Utilities team, Ben is focused on delivering complex smart energy projects—specifically focusing on microgrids, eMobility, and electric vehicles.
Contact Ben
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/market\/energy\u002Dresources.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "a27118e0\u002Da665\u002D48fe\u002D818d\u002Ddb1c3f4796fe",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - How private developers can use ISO 19650 to improve energy delivery",
"link": {
"text":"How private developers can use ISO 19650 to improve energy delivery",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/how\u002Dprivate\u002Ddevelopers\u002Dcan\u002Duse\u002Diso\u002D19650\u002Dto\u002Dimprove\u002Denergy\u002Ddelivery.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/transmission\u002Ddistribution\u002Duk\u002D257283.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How private developers can use ISO 19650 to improve energy delivery",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Driving grid innovation: The importance of HTLS conductors",
"link": {
"text":"Driving grid innovation: The importance of HTLS conductors",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/driving\u002Dgrid\u002Dinnovation\u002Dimportance\u002Dof\u002Dhtls\u002Dconductors.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/transmission\u002Ddistribution\u002D257273.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Driving grid innovation: The importance of HTLS conductors",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Driving change: How EVs could help balance our grid",
"link": {
"text":"Driving change: How EVs could help balance our grid",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/driving\u002Dchange\u002Dhow\u002Devs\u002Dcould\u002Dhelp\u002Dbalance\u002Dour\u002Dgrid.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/electric\u002Dvehicle\u002Dadobestock\u002D335360739.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Driving change: How EVs could help balance our grid",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Renewable energy is key to building the most sustainable data centres",
"link": {
"text":"Renewable energy is key to building the most sustainable data centres",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/what\u002Dis\u002Dthe\u002Dkey\u002Dto\u002Dbuilding\u002Dthe\u002Dmost\u002Dsustainable\u002Ddata\u002Dcentres\u002Drenewable\u002Denergy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/data\u002Dcenter\u002Dadobestock\u002D1598589581.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Renewable energy is key to building the most sustainable data centres",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Bringing social value to the grid: A roundtable on transmission and distribution",
"link": {
"text":"Bringing social value to the grid: A roundtable on transmission and distribution",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/bringing\u002Dsocial\u002Dvalue\u002Dto\u002Dthe\u002Dgrid\u002Droundtable\u002Dtransmission\u002Ddistribution.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/transmission\u002Ddistribution\u002Dstock\u002D257292.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Bringing social value to the grid: A roundtable on transmission and distribution",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - The SCOPE: Smart grids—what are they?",
"link": {
"text":"The SCOPE: Smart grids—what are they?",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/the\u002Dscope\u002Dsmart\u002Dgrids\u002Dwhat\u002Dare\u002Dthey.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/ev\u002Dcharging\u002Dadobestock\u002D203361524.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The SCOPE: Smart grids—what are they?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Transforming delivery of anaerobic digestion in the United Kingdom",
"link": {
"text":"Transforming delivery of anaerobic digestion in the United Kingdom",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/transforming\u002Ddelivery\u002Danaerobic\u002Ddigestion\u002Dunited\u002Dkingdom.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/anaerobic\u002Ddigestion\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D775059679.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Transforming delivery of anaerobic digestion in the United Kingdom",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - 10 things to know about the future of hydrogen development in the UK",
"link": {
"text":"10 things to know about the future of hydrogen development in the UK",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/10\u002Dthings\u002Dto\u002Dknow\u002Dabout\u002Dfuture\u002Dhydrogen\u002Ddevelopment\u002Duk.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/uk\u002Dsolar\u002Dpark\u002Dadobestock\u002D499923468.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "10 things to know about the future of hydrogen development in the UK",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - How integrated thinking can help boost the energy transition",
"link": {
"text":"How integrated thinking can help boost the energy transition",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/how\u002Dintegrated\u002Dthinking\u002Dcan\u002Dhelp\u002Dboost\u002Denergy\u002Dtransition.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/solar\u002Dwind\u002Dturbines\u002Dadobestock\u002D276818517.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How integrated thinking can help boost the energy transition",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - How is Stantec making an impact?",
"link": {
"text":"How is Stantec making an impact?",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/how\u002Dis\u002Dstantec\u002Dmaking\u002Dan\u002Dimpact.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0062\/bujagali\u002Dhydroelectric\u002Dproject\u002D124878.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How is Stantec making an impact?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"link": {
"text":"Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/stantec\u002Dio\u002Dpodcast\u002Dextreme\u002Dweather\u002Ddigital\u002Dsolutions.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/extreme\u002Dweather\u002Dadobestock\u002D212000291.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Innovative Insights: Extreme Weather and Digital Solutions",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - How to repeatedly save your client time and money with Stantec Beacon",
"link": {
"text":"How to repeatedly save your client time and money with Stantec Beacon",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/how\u002Dto\u002Drepeatedly\u002Dsave\u002Dyour\u002Dclient\u002Dtime\u002Dmoney\u002Dwith\u002Dstantec\u002Dbeacon.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0003\/innovation\u002Dstantec\u002Dbeacon\u002Dstock.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How to repeatedly save your client time and money with Stantec Beacon",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Supply and demand: Energy security in the UK",
"link": {
"text":"Supply and demand: Energy security in the UK",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/supply\u002Dand\u002Ddemand\u002Denergy\u002Dsecurity\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Duk.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/flooded\u002Droad\u002Dadobestock\u002D323325627.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Supply and demand: Energy security in the UK",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Cleaner energy from waste",
"link": {
"text":"Cleaner energy from waste",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/article\/2022\/cleaner\u002Denergy\u002Dfrom\u002Dwaste.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/power\u002Dstation\u002Dadobestock\u002D306736053.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Cleaner energy from waste",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - Hydro batteries: Making renewables dispatchable",
"link": {
"text":"Hydro batteries: Making renewables dispatchable",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/hydro\u002Dbatteries\u002Dmaking\u002Drenewables\u002Ddispatchable.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/021\/floating\u002Dsolar\u002Dpanels\u002Dadobestock\u002D442400680.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Hydro batteries: Making renewables dispatchable",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - How can solar canopies help us electrify our industry?",
"link": {
"text":"How can solar canopies help us electrify our industry?",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dsolar\u002Dcanopies\u002Dhelp\u002Dus\u002Delectrify\u002Dour\u002Dindustry.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/021\/solar\u002Dparking\u002Dcanopy\u002Dadobestock\u002D277941698.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can solar canopies help us electrify our industry?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - The Geography of Hydrogen is the catalyst to economic stimulus and adaptation to climate change",
"link": {
"text":"The Geography of Hydrogen is the catalyst to economic stimulus and adaptation to climate change",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2022\/the\u002Dgeography\u002Dof\u002Dhydrogen\u002Dis\u002Dthe\u002Dcatalyst\u002Dto\u002Deconomic\u002Dstimulus\u002Dand\u002Dadaptation\u002Dto\u002Dclimate\u002Dchange.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/hydrogen\u002Drenewable\u002Denergy\u002Dadobestock\u002D464088627.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The Geography of Hydrogen is the catalyst to economic stimulus and adaptation to climate change",
"overwriteSubhead": "White Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Mining towards Renewable Energy in the UK",
"link": {
"text":"Mining towards Renewable Energy in the UK",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/article\/2021\/mining\u002Dtowards\u002Drenewable\u002Denergy\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Duk.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/stock\/other\/0015\/dinorwig\u002Dquarry\u002Dadobestock\u002D370748667.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Mining towards Renewable Energy in the UK",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Producing Hydrogen using Hydropower in the US",
"link": {
"text":"Producing Hydrogen using Hydropower in the US",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/presentation\/2021\/producing\u002Dhydrogen\u002Dusing\u002Dhydropower\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Dus.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0002\/molecule\u002Dstructures\u002Dadobestock\u002D215987645.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Producing Hydrogen using Hydropower in the US",
"overwriteSubhead": "Presentation",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - We need an EV charging renaissance",
"link": {
"text":"We need an EV charging renaissance",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2021\/we\u002Dneed\u002Dan\u002Dev\u002Dcharging\u002Drenaissance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0002\/car\u002Dcharging\u002Dadobestock\u002D335558878.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "We need an EV charging renaissance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - 7 trends and techs—and 3 obstacles—shaping the big picture for an energy transition",
"link": {
"text":"7 trends and techs—and 3 obstacles—shaping the big picture for an energy transition",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/7\u002Dtrends\u002Dand\u002Dtechs\u002Dshaping\u002Dthe\u002Dbig\u002Dpicture\u002Dfor\u002Dan\u002Denergy\u002Dtransition\u002D3\u002Dobstacles.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/017\/solar\u002Dpanels\u002Dadobestock\u002D283024301.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "7 trends and techs—and 3 obstacles—shaping the big picture for an energy transition",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - Stantec kicks off the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration RIGHT! ",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec kicks off the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration RIGHT! ",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/video\/2021\/stantec\u002Dkicks\u002Doff\u002Dthe\u002Dunited\u002Dnations\u002Ddecade\u002Don\u002Decosystem\u002Drestoration\u002Dright.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0002\/un\u002Ddecade\u002Dof\u002Decosystem\u002Drestoration.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec kicks off the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration RIGHT! ",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - How can hydrogen fuel a more sustainable energy future?",
"link": {
"text":"How can hydrogen fuel a more sustainable energy future?",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dhydrogen\u002Dfuel\u002Da\u002Dmore\u002Dsustainable\u002Denergy\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/017\/solina\u002Ddam\u002Dadobestock\u002D358666667.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can hydrogen fuel a more sustainable energy future?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Published in the Institute of Water Magazine: Tackling the Climate Emergency",
"link": {
"text":"Published in the Institute of Water Magazine: Tackling the Climate Emergency",
"url":"\/uk\/ideas\/content\/article\/2020\/published\u002Dinstitute\u002Dof\u002Dwater\u002Dmagazine\u002Dtackling\u002Dthe\u002Dclimate\u002Demergency.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/015\/tackling\u002Dclimate\u002Demergency\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Published in the Institute of Water Magazine: Tackling the Climate Emergency",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}