US Power Grid Ready for Plug-in Hybrids
Some say that the future of eco-friendly car technology will be the emergence of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) as the primary choice among green car consumers. Right now, there are no mass-produced PHEVs that are available to your everyday consumer. Sure, there is the sexy Tesla Roadster but at $100k+ a pop, you are not going to see driveways in your typical neighborhood lined with them.
Many after-market companies have created technology to convert a hybrid electric vehicle to a PHEV. Even though this change can typically be made for a modest investment ($5k-$8k typically), the conversion of a standard hybrid to a plug-in hybrid results in a voided warranty and little in the way of mechanical support should something go wrong. As a result, relatively few hybrid owners make the conversion.
Right now, the PHEVs are not used at a level that taxes the nation’s power grid. The future PHEV that seems to be getting the most media attention lately is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. However, with the price tag expected to be in the $40k+ range, this is not going to be sold at a level that the power grid will be tested. The MINI-E or the smart ed might be the best bet for first PHEV to really test the utility companies.
Most major auto manufacturers have at least entertained the idea of creating a PHEV in the coming years and this begs the question – are the nation’s power grids ready to handle the increased demand that will result if a drastic upswing in PHEV purchases occurs? When I think about rolling blackouts in California due to mass power usage, I question this.
Automotive News Europe has reported from the Automotive News Green Car Conference that the answer to this question is yes; yes, the nation’s utility companies are ready for the increased use of PHEVs. Eladio Knipping of EPRI spoke on the topic of a 60% PHEV market share by 2050 and whether the nation’s power grid can handle this transition.
“Yes, the grid can handle it,” said Knipping. He said that assumes a modest increase in power load over time. Also, power companies would need to use smart technologies to maximize electricity use in off-peak hours, and consumers would have to be educated on the best times to charge their vehicles.
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Several of the cars that you refer to are EV or EREV, not PHEV. Yes, they all plug-in, but they are not the same.
As to your question, *Yes* the grid can handle it. The grid survived and expanded when Air Conditioners became popular after WWII and computers in the 90s and big screen TVs this decade. If fact, if V2G technology takes off, Plug-in cars (all types) can actually be a benefit to the grid.
Here is a Story by Motor Authority that says the grid can take it:
http://www.motorauthority.com/expert-says-electric-grid-ready-for-plug-in-hybrids.html
After an 18 month study an expert for the Electric
Power Research Institute, Eladio Knipping, said
at this week’s Automotive News Green Car Conference,
“Yes, the grid can handle it.”
Pacific Northwest Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute studies had a similar conclusion that the grid can take it.
Also, were you referring to the Tesla Roadster or the Tesla Model S? They are two separate vehicles. You seem to have confused the names when you referred to the “Tesla Roadster S”.
Please Please Please stop spreading baseless fear about plug-in transportation. You can blame Eron greed for the rolling blackouts.
[...] time I wrote about the U.S. electric grid and plug-in vehicles, I was chastised for spreading baseless fear. I made one comment referencing [...]