As the demand for cleaner automotive alternatives grows, so too do opportunities for unique applications for new technologies. Often we find that a technology created for an intended purpose has ancillary uses that can provide an unforeseen service.
The concept of vehicle to grid is one such area where emerging research in electric and electric hybrid automotive technologies suggests a potential parallel benefit to integrated power grids and end line consumers. The idea is simple; an electric or electric hybrid vehicle operates on a very powerful battery system that in the case of an electric hybrid, can produce energy that it derives from an accessory fuel source. In both cases (electric and electric hybrid) electricity from an external system can be stored in the battery while the vehicle is not in use. Research has show that although the energy storage and production from a large number of vehicles cannot supply all of our power needs, there is still a potential benefit. Electricity is produced in plants that are typically far removed from the users that they supply. In addition, the energy produced cannot be stored in one central location due to power loss from leakage, and the size of the storage facility that would be required. This means that when energy is produced, it must be used. Typically power generating plants have to forecast demand and even in doing so must ramp their systems up and down to stabilize the grid. The benefit of having an electric or electric hybrid car is then the end line storage of electricity. By plugging in our vehicles to the grid, we allow energy to be stored during times of peak load. This serves to stabilize the grid and cuts down on the need to produce power on demand which lowers prices overall. When the grid needs more power, these individual battery units can be tapped to supply it.
I must be pointed out that this benefit would occur mostly at night when power demands are low and at non peak driving times.
A good article in the New York Times is added here that discusses the topic.
www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/07/22/22climatewire-vehicle-to-grid-technology-gains-some-tracti-50378.html
In short, with new technologies we have to be aware of the potential ancillary benefits that occur.
Ben Wutzke
The concept of vehicle to grid is one such area where emerging research in electric and electric hybrid automotive technologies suggests a potential parallel benefit to integrated power grids and end line consumers. The idea is simple; an electric or electric hybrid vehicle operates on a very powerful battery system that in the case of an electric hybrid, can produce energy that it derives from an accessory fuel source. In both cases (electric and electric hybrid) electricity from an external system can be stored in the battery while the vehicle is not in use. Research has show that although the energy storage and production from a large number of vehicles cannot supply all of our power needs, there is still a potential benefit. Electricity is produced in plants that are typically far removed from the users that they supply. In addition, the energy produced cannot be stored in one central location due to power loss from leakage, and the size of the storage facility that would be required. This means that when energy is produced, it must be used. Typically power generating plants have to forecast demand and even in doing so must ramp their systems up and down to stabilize the grid. The benefit of having an electric or electric hybrid car is then the end line storage of electricity. By plugging in our vehicles to the grid, we allow energy to be stored during times of peak load. This serves to stabilize the grid and cuts down on the need to produce power on demand which lowers prices overall. When the grid needs more power, these individual battery units can be tapped to supply it.
I must be pointed out that this benefit would occur mostly at night when power demands are low and at non peak driving times.
A good article in the New York Times is added here that discusses the topic.
www.nytimes.com/cwire/2009/07/22/22climatewire-vehicle-to-grid-technology-gains-some-tracti-50378.html
In short, with new technologies we have to be aware of the potential ancillary benefits that occur.
Ben Wutzke
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