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

  • Terex is offering innovative access technology
    January 20, 2014
    Terex AWP is offering advanced and sophisticated access platforms from its Genie brand. Important new models are the Genie SX-180 telescopic boom and the Genie GS-4069 bi-energy hybrid scissor lift. Now in production, the Genie SX-180 boom offers a platform height of 54.8m and can be driven at full height. The stowed length shrinks it down to 14.3m and the retracted width to 2.49m making it transportable without special over-width permits. The lift capacity is 340kg. Meanwhile the Genie GS-4069 bi-energy hy
  • Conductix-Wampfler offers new storage and rack solutions for mobile cranes
    January 6, 2017
    Conductix-Wampfler, the mobile energy and data transmission system manufacturer, will focus at Bauma on the growing trend towards the electrification of construction and mining machinery, the company says. For example, higher fuel costs are driving a new generation of intelligent solutions for mobile cranes says the company and the fly jibs required for these vehicles are being designed to allow maximum flexibility when specialist assignments need to be carried out.
  • Conductix-Wampfler offers new storage and rack solutions for mobile cranes
    March 27, 2013
    Conductix-Wampfler, the mobile energy and data transmission system manufacturer, will focus at Bauma on the growing trend towards the electrification of construction and mining machinery, the company says. For example, higher fuel costs are driving a new generation of intelligent solutions for mobile cranes says the company and the fly jibs required for these vehicles are being designed to allow maximum flexibility when specialist assignments need to be carried out.
  • The second ERF LAB event: 10 years down the road?
    October 24, 2019
    The second ERF LAB event* in Brussels examined the ‘Impact of new mobility on road infrastructure and equipment’, writes Christophe Nicodème, director-general of the ERF