Ford's plug-in hybrids will talk to electrical grid
Several
automobile companies have been taking steps towards the implementation of hybrid technologies, and Ford is not about to be
left behind. On Tuesday, it announced the development of a control system that
would allow its electric cars to communicate with electric grids to adjust the
timing of its charging schedule. The technology is designed for use in Ford's
plug-in hybrid cars that will reach the market by 2012.
The new
technology, which is conceptually similar to smart grids, allows customers to
program when the car recharges, for how long, and at what utility rate. When
plugged in, the battery system of the
car can talk directly to the grid through a wireless network with smart
meters provided by utility companies. The settings are chosen by the car's
operator through a touchscreen in the car's dashboard, and works with other
Ford technologies like SYNC, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, and Ford Work Solutions.
Integral
to the success of this system is the cooperation of utility providers in the
program. Ford has provided American Electric Power in
Once the
technology is installed, the user has quite a bit of control. For example, the
car could be set to charge only during the off-peak hours of midnight and 6am,
or only when the grid is operating from renewable energy sources like wind or solar power.
Ford also envisions the technology as extensible to
areas outside the home, for use at malls or offices,
with settings for each location or situation. The system would allow each
operator to be responsible for the cost of the electricity they are siphoning
from others' properties. For example, a credit card would have to be swiped,
and once the user is identified, the car could recharge according to its
owner's settings. Gone would be the days of "stations" that only let
drivers power their cars in certain locations. With this technology, every
powered property is a pump, electricity instead of gas.
Ford was
also recently approved for two grants from the Department of Energy for its
pursuit of electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid infrastructure development.
One $30 million grant will fund Ford's collaboration with utility providers to
implement its power management system
in vehicles. A second $62.7 million grant, to be matched by Ford, will assist
production of an electric-drive transaxle for use in hybrid and plug-in hybrid
vehicles. Ford also plans to bring an electric
commercial van to market in 2010, and to have its first plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle by 2012.
Source: arstechnica.com