California Considers Electric Car V2G Charging Tech for Grid Stability

The idea of using coordinated electric-car charging to stabilize the grid has been discussed for years, but is still in early stages of development. California regulators now hope to bring so-called "vehicle-to-grid" (V2G) technology into focus.

 

V2G requires cars that can discharge power back into the grid, something that isn't widely available, but the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is expected to issue a decision calling for discussion of the feasibility of V2G, according to E&E News.

 

The potential benefit of V2G is the ability to "balance" the grid by using fleets of electric cars to absorb excess electricity during periods of low demand, and discharge it during periods of high demand. This allows grid infrastructure to operate at a more stable pace, which saves wear and tear, and allows EVs to supplement power plants or renewable-energy sources when demand is especially high.

 

That could help head off the rolling blackouts California experienced last summer, which forced utilities to use diesel generators to keep the power on. It's one of the scenarios the CPUC plans to highlight at a workshop on V2G tech.

 

V2G isn't ready for commercialization, however. The CPUC is simply looking at how the technology could fit into its regulatory framework, as well as existing grid infrastructure. The question is whether this will move things forward appreciably beyond previous V2G studies.

 

Two California utilities have studied V2G. Southern California Edison (SCE) announced plans for a demonstration project last year, while Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) announced last month it's working working with BMW on a study involving actual EV owners.

 

In a pilot program that wrapped up in 2017, the two companies coordinated the timing of charging for some BMW i3 electric cars to lessen the strain on the grid. About 100 i3 owners in the San Francisco Bay Area were enrolled in the program, which ran for 18 months. PG&E and BMW just announced a next-step study of smart-charging systems and EV drivers—essentially seeing what difference it might make to simply change the time that EV owners charge, to smooth the grid load.

 

While clear regulations and utility cooperation are key elements of a workable V2G system, cars also need the hardware to discharge power back into the grid.

 

Audi and Volkswagen are testing bi-directional charging hardware in EVs, and Hyundai has said this will be a feature of its new E-GMP modular EV platform. The Nissan Leaf has also had this ability engineered into it—with additional hardware—but right now most of the electric cars on United States roads don't have that capability.

 

Fiver New Energy Technology Co.,ltd Specializing in Electric Vehicle Charger and EVSE Infrastructure solution. It was established because of the growing popularity of EV, especially for the development of our future green city with the convenience of smart mobility. We share the vision of China Government to transition the town to smart city by building up the manageable, interoperable and sustainable smart charger infrastructure. Browse our website for more details https://www.fiverevse.com.

Location: United States

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

There Are Many Different Types of Charging Plugs/Connectors, How to Choose a Suitable One for Your Car

Image
  There are many reasons to consider switching from a gasoline-powered car, to one that’s powered by electricity. Electric vehicles are quieter, cost less to operate and produce far fewer total emissions well to wheel. However, not all electric cars and plugs are created equal. In particular, the EV charging connector or plug type standard varies across geographies and models. While there is contention around universal plug technology, there is critical mass from global automakers supporting the Combined Charging System (CCS) in North America and Europe, while Japan and its automakers use CHAdeMO, and China, which has the world’s largest electric vehicle market uses GB/T. Also, depending on the plug type within each region, there are different levels of power available. We will zero in on all these differences and other relevant information regarding charging electric vehicles below. North American EV Plug Standards In North America, every electric vehicle manufactu...
Read more

Five Things To Expect From an Electric Car Charging Station

Image
  You've heard the "buzz," but what can you really expect from an electric car charging station? Are you are seriously considering making the switch to an electric vehicle, but aren't sure what to expect? How much time and money will it cost? Are there any other pieces of information that you need before you make the jump to an EV? These cars are wonderful alternatives to traditional gas-guzzlers, so take a look below for more information.   1. You can find an electric car charging station using websites and apps. As alternatives to gasoline-fueled cars become increasingly popular, more and more stations are popping up around the country and around the world.   2. There are three different types of cost plans for public stations: pay-as-you go, membership only, or free. Of course, these options are largely self-explanatory. If you travel often and to new locations, it might make sense to stock up on membership cards in order to be prepared for whatever you mig...
Read more

How To Find A Place To Charge Your Electric Car

Image
  This is a question common among individuals planning to get their own electric car. While you haven't gotten one yet-or even if you have already gotten one-here are some things you should know about how to find a place to charge your electric car.   1. Spend some time on the net researching for car hookup stations available in your place. Although not all cities have installed car hookups stations, the Internet can provide you with information of other nearby cities where you can have your car charged.   Because of the fact that electric cars are trending today, more and more companies are going into this business. Also, since electric cars have made their way because of global warming, many countries are supporting this move and hence, put on great efforts to installing more car hookups.   Once known, locate these areas and see these stations yourself. Ask these stations questions regarding their service. There are stations that do not support all type...
Read more