Skip to main content

EV tests to optimise their performance with power grids

Researchers at the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released a technical report that could help improve the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and the efficiency of the electric utility grids that power them.The report documents a series of test procedures designed to enable engineers, designers and utilities to evaluate the performance of various EVs and hybrids to optimise how they connect with electric utility grids today - and "smart grids" in the future.
April 26, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Researchers at the 5275 US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released a technical report that could help improve the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and the efficiency of the electric utility grids that power them.

The report documents a series of test procedures designed to enable engineers, designers and utilities to evaluate the performance of various EVs and hybrids to optimise how they connect with electric utility grids today – and “smart grids” in the future. As more vehicles with large batteries come into use and smart grid technology advances, grid operators in the future may be able to take advantage of the two-way flow of power from EVs and hybrids plugged into utility grids to smooth spikes in demand and improve the reliability of their systems. Evaluating today’s vehicle technologies will advance the goal of transforming the nation’s transportation system to maximize efficiency and use of clean energy.

Engineering vehicles capable of interconnecting to the power system for bi-directional power flow is a key component of emerging “vehicle-to-grid” systems, in which plug-in EVs communicate with the power grid to deliver electricity or modulate their charging rates. The global vehicle-to-grid (V2G) market is expected to grow at a rapid pace, reaching the US$2.25 billion mark in 2012 and accelerating to $40.4 billion by 2020, according to a new market analysis from GlobalData.

“This report offers the first nationally available set of test procedures for V2G applications,” NREL Director of Energy Systems Integration Ben Kroposki said. “Unleashing the potential of electric vehicles to optimise grid performance will be instrumental as the world moves to a smart grid with much higher use of renewables, energy storage and load control.

The NREL report, Interim Test Procedures for Evaluating Electrical Performance and Grid Integration of Vehicle-to-Grid Applications, is available at %$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal this link Interim Test Procedures for Evaluating Electrical Performance and Grid Integration of Vehicle-to-Grid Applications false http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/51001.pdf. false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Motometer’s sensitive side
    January 6, 2017
    Motometer is showcasing a wide range of its technology for construction machine applications during Intermat 2012. The German company’s Sensitive Cockpit system is said to boost driver effectiveness, efficiency and safety by using Multi-Touch Projected Capacitance Technology. Featuring what Motometer says is “clear and intuitive” menu navigation and CAN display, the Sensitive Cockpit system’s glass front panel is said to offer thorough protection against physical influences. Motometer’s new Motocandis CAN-D
  • Motometer’s sensitive side
    April 13, 2012
    Motometer is showcasing a wide range of its technology for construction machine applications during Intermat 2012. The German company’s Sensitive Cockpit system is said to boost driver effectiveness, efficiency and safety by using Multi-Touch Projected Capacitance Technology. Featuring what Motometer says is “clear and intuitive” menu navigation and CAN display, the Sensitive Cockpit system’s glass front panel is said to offer thorough protection against physical influences. Motometer’s new Motocandis CAN-D
  • New Holland shows new E385C and E485C excavators at INTERMAT 2012
    January 6, 2017
    New Holland is introducing new models of heavy-duty crawler excavators. The E385C and E485C are in the 35tonne and 48tonne category respectively. The Holland said that they have been built deal with the most demanding applications and harshest conditions. The latest models offer more power and fast cycles with new Tier 4 interim engines and new hydraulics. Fuel consumption is improved through the new hydraulics and new ECO working mode.
  • New Holland shows new E385C and E485C excavators at INTERMAT 2012
    April 4, 2012
    New Holland is introducing new models of heavy-duty crawler excavators. The E385C and E485C are in the 35tonne and 48tonne category respectively. The Holland said that they have been built deal with the most demanding applications and harshest conditions. The latest models offer more power and fast cycles with new Tier 4 interim engines and new hydraulics. Fuel consumption is improved through the new hydraulics and new ECO working mode.