When it comes to the future of the electric car, a fight on three frontiers need to happen at the same time. In order for electric vehicles, EV to roam around freely and as long distances as possible, the grid needs to be massively upgraded, new clean and alternative energy sources need to be implemented and of course, batteries need to become smaller and more energetically dense.
The gist, is that pretty much all three phase are underway. Scientist keep on refining smaller and lighter electric motors, battery technology is furiously trying to condense energy, sometimes using state of the art nano technology and the grid is receiving funds from government and investments from private companies.
In this first part of the three phase future of the EV, I want to concentrate on the infrastructure of the grid. Without a strong grid, we won't be able to recharge our cars, especially at peak time. Current studies report that the grid, in its present state could support an influx of plug-in hybrids, PHEV. Yet, more must be done.
Smart Meters To The Rescue! Smart meters are what utilities hope will make people come to term that they consume more than they need. Think about those who turn on their AC units as soon as the temperature nears 70 degrees, and you know can understand the drain on our resources.
Image from Wikipedia
Smart meters will replace the dumb boxes utilities have at consumers and business areas. The new meters will be able to exchange data between homes and utilities to hopefully help predict peak periods and reduce firing extra dirty plants. The benefits are obvious. A mass consciousness would help curb down energy waste, lower detrimental environment pollutants and help people realize how much money they could save by keeping their energy needs down.
Clean, Renewable Alternative Energy. Obviously, creating electricity with clean natural gas, CNG (don't let the name fool you it isn't that clean) and coal, is not a sustainable way for our children's future. When peak time arises, utilities fire up dirty plants that aggravation to our environment concern. California has been particularly active in this sector with increasing solar farm, one of which, the Stirling Energy Systems Solar One project, if completed, would generate 850 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 600,000 homes. Wind farms have also received a lot of support and Massachusetts is building 130 turbines across Nantucket Sound that should provide 420 megawatts of energy at peak output. Another project from the South Coast Wind Project is working on installing install 90 to 120 turbines providing 300 megawatts.
V2G. One of my favorite EV gadget, introduced by my friends at AC Propulsion, the Vehicle 2 Grid, V2G works the same way as a smart meter but in an EV. Think about it this way. You charge at low peak time and sale your excess electricity stored in your batteries to utilities who need it at peak time. Now imagine having solar panels and or wind turbines and you are pretty much in the business of selling electricity to utilities while driving, virtually for free.
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V2G holds the greatest potential for savings, both for EVs and PHEVs but it will require a fundamental business model change on the part of utilities.
Utilities Morph Into Transportation Providers. And this is the key to our smart grid revolution here, utilities will have to change the way they do business. They will need to concentrate more on transporting electricity, load balancing and planning, more than just providing enough electricity for everyone.
What Are The Benefits? The benefits are countless, from a more secure grid, less susceptible to terrorist actions, to a more redundant and docile one, providing us with enough electricity at all times. In part II, I will look at alternative energies in more details.
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