Ford Motor Company is joining other global automakers for the first time introduction of cloud technology that will allow communication between plug-in electric vehicles with the utilities, helping efficiency improvement of the power grid.
The automakers are collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute, major utility companies and Sumitomo Electric to cultivate a two-way communication platform that would allow plug-in electric vehicles to work with power grids.
The utilities, with the help of a system can send a message to the vehicle, demanding time management for charging the vehicle, helping a grid that is becoming overloaded. With the help of opt-in program customers can refuse it.
The technology demonstration will take place on Oct. 16 in Sacramento, California, at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Customer Service Center.
This first-ever test is a critical milestone as company moves forward with the collective goal to advance electrification and boost the environmental benefits that come with that. The intent is to add more capability to this technology so that it may be used broadly in the future, said Mike Tinskey, global director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford.
In case a vehicle owner plugs the car for charging and sets time, the system will judge if pausing the charging will create any problem to his needs and act accordingly. It may either continue charging or pause to help power conservation for the grid.
Utility companies will offer financial incentives for integrating this grid availability with their plug-in electric vehicles. Customers who choose the program can charge their cars at a location of their choice and ignore the utility’s request to stop charging.
This demonstration represents a major milestone that meets the needs of utilities and equipment manufacturers while simultaneously benefiting electric vehicle owners and electricity users, said, Dan Bowermaster, manager, Electric Transportation Program, Electric Power Research Institute.
Utilities and regional transmission organizations participating in this system development include DTE Energy Company, Duke Energy, PJM Interconnection, CenterPoint Energy, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Southern Company, Northeast Utilities, Southern California Edison and many more.
Global automotive manufacturers joining Ford include American Honda Motor, BMW Group, Chrysler Group, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Mitsubishi Motors North America and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America.
Sabeena Wahid
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