Where Smart Grid meets Electric Vehicles: The Networked EV

The Convergence of Smart Grids and Electric Vehicles

According to a new study conducted by GreenTech Media, this year marks a turning point for electricity as a transportation fuel for passenger vehicles.

Automobile manufacturers are sending electric vehicles (EVs) to market with global penetration forecasted to increase more than five-fold by 2016. The implications for electric power players and utilities are enormous, as the requirements of commercial EV adoption will inevitably burden existing electric power infrastructure. Given this reality, utilities are seeking out smart grid technology solutions to ensure grid reliability along with generation capacity by activating a digital dialogue between the smart grid and the EV.

According to this research paper, worldwide Global Electric Vehicles on the roads will reach 1.2 million by 2016.

Figure: Global Electric Vehicle Sales Forecast, 2011-2016 (# of vehicles)

Smart grid development, battery innovations and technical advances in the automotive are all important factors to reach this goal of more EVs on the road.

Figure: The Price Spread of a "Gallon" of Electricity vs. a Gallon of Gasoline (est.)

The following websites offer more details like complimentary articles and whitepapers on the different area of research connected to this topic: Automotive Battery Technology, Energy Management for Electric Vehicles,   Smarte Netzleitstelle (Smart Grid Interface). Enjoy your read.

Graphics (c) GreenTech Media