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

  • Perkins will demonstrate how its engine will meet EU Stage IV/US Tier 4 Final emissions regulations
    January 6, 2017
    Perkins will showcase a complete line-up of Stage IV/Tier 4 Final engine solutions at Bauma, ahead of the new legislation next year. The four cylinder 854F-E34TA will demonstrate much of the technology on offer, as it uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with an exhaust additive, plus a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). Both Perkins’ 3.4 and 4.4-litre engine lines make do without a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), though the larger 7 litre will use a DPF as well.
  • Perkins will demonstrate how its engine will meet EU Stage IV/US Tier 4 Final emissions regulations
    February 7, 2013
    Perkins will showcase a complete line-up of Stage IV/Tier 4 Final engine solutions at Bauma, ahead of the new legislation next year. The four cylinder 854F-E34TA will demonstrate much of the technology on offer, as it uses Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with an exhaust additive, plus a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC). Both Perkins’ 3.4 and 4.4-litre engine lines make do without a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), though the larger 7 litre will use a DPF as well.
  • ZF looks to the future with HVT and hybrid technology
    January 6, 2017
    ZF will focus on efficiency and reducing fuel consumption at this year’s show. The transmission and driveline component manufacturer will present its Ergopower efficiency package that combines the cPower continuously variable transmission with the ZF Hybrid module that should be commercially available in the future. cPower is a hydromechanical variable transmission that combines hydrostatic drive pumps with a mechanical powershift gearbox. Available for use in a range of machines, including wheeled loaders,
  • ZF looks to the future with HVT and hybrid technology
    February 7, 2013
    ZF will focus on efficiency and reducing fuel consumption at this year’s show. The transmission and driveline component manufacturer will present its Ergopower efficiency package that combines the cPower continuously variable transmission with the ZF Hybrid module that should be commercially available in the future. cPower is a hydromechanical variable transmission that combines hydrostatic drive pumps with a mechanical powershift gearbox. Available for use in a range of machines, including wheeled loaders,