Power outages show that energy resilience requires new systemic approaches
Bidirectional charging as a building block for more resilient energy and mobility systems
Dortmund, January 8, 2026 – The power outage in Berlin has once again made it clear to many how much we take a stable energy supply for granted and how quickly it is missed in everyday life when it suddenly disappears. At the same time, the event raises a bigger question: How resilient is our electricity system in a world that is becoming increasingly decentralized and electrified?
With the growing share of renewable energies, increasing grid load, and the ongoing electrification of mobility and heating, the stability of the energy supply is becoming a greater focus. Not as a theoretical topic for the future, but as a very practical challenge.
In this context, an approach that has previously been discussed mainly among experts is gaining attention: bidirectional charging. This refers to the possibility of using electric vehicles not only as consumers of electricity, but also as a means of feeding energy back into buildings or the power grid. The goal behind this is clear: to create additional flexibility, cushion peak loads, and make power grids more resilient. Whether and how quickly this will become part of everyday life, however, is another question.
Compleo Charging Solutions is consistently aligning its charging infrastructure with precisely this in mind. Together with KOSTAL, the company is working on comprehensive system approaches that aim to more closely integrate charging infrastructure, energy, and mobility. The aim is not a short-term effect, but a long-term perspective: bidirectional charging as part of integrated energy systems and thus as a possible building block for the energy and mobility transition.
“Bidirectional charging is not a short-term crisis tool, but a long-term system component for the energy supply of tomorrow,” says Dr. Bjoern Dietrich, CEO of Compleo Charging Solutions. “Our task as a charging infrastructure provider is to create the technological basis for electric vehicles to contribute to the stabilization of power grids in the future – in conjunction with renewable energies, stationary storage systems, and existing grids.”
A realistic assessment is crucial here. Bidirectional charging does not replace central grid infrastructures or traditional emergency power solutions. Rather, it is about making decentralized flexibility controllable, safe, and legally compliant. In addition to the charging infrastructure, suitable vehicles, viable business models, and clear legal frameworks also play a key role. Without this interaction, the topic quickly remains theoretical.
“Resilience does not come from a single technology,” Dietrich continues. “It comes from the interaction of many components. Bidirectionally usable charging infrastructure can be an important lever in this, but only as part of an overall system.”
In the coming years, bidirectional charging is likely to gradually establish itself in the market. The first, still isolated applications and business models are already emerging today. In the medium term, these will gain in importance and must already be taken into account in strategic projects in energy and mobility concepts.
About Compleo
Compleo Charging Solutions is one of Europe's leading providers of charging technology for electric vehicles. As part of the KOSTAL Group, the company supports its business customers with a diverse range of charging stations, including AC, DC, and HPC chargers, as well as the market’s first DC charging stations compliant with calibration laws. Its customers include well-known charging point operators, electric wholesalers and more than 300 energy suppliers. Compleo's vision is to consistently further develop electromobility as the most sustainable and convenient form of transport - and to make it a tangible experience for people. The company focuses on technological innovation, for example in the areas of high-power charging, bidirectional charging, calibration law and payment solutions. The practical product development creates clear advantages for CPOs and installers - and at the same time ensures a positive charging experience for electric car drivers. More information at: https://www.compleo-charging.com/en/
Press Contact
Katrin Osburg
presse@compleo-cs.com