Japanese automaker Nissan Motor is working with municipal officials in Fukushima Prefecture on a smarter green energy system, using its cars to provide a more stable supply of electricity.

The plan uses electric vehicles as batteries that can charge and discharge power. The vehicles will store electricity generated by solar and wind. When the roadside station needs electricity, the EV batteries will become the suppliers.

Artificial intelligence will analyze the power flow and determine where the electricity should be stored for maximum efficiency.

Traditional models of renewable energy have stability issues as they are affected by weather conditions. The EVs could ensure that less green energy gets dumped.

Doi Kazuhiro, Corporate Vice President of Nissan Motor, says, "Vehicles are generally parked 80 to 90 percent of the time. We want to make good use of this time."

The automaker has already set up a roadside power station with five vehicles in Namie Town. The town office uses the vehicles as its official cars. The governments of Futaba Town and Minamisoma City have signed up for a similar system.

The project leaders say it could help local authorities prepare for emergency situations in which the power supply gets tight.