Japanese carmaker Nissan has teamed up with energy firm, GE, in order to accelerate the development of a smart-charging infrastructure.
GE and the carmaker signed a three year memorandum of understanding to collaborate over research new technologies that will be needed in the car, on the grid and at home or work to make smart charging a reality.
Smart charging will allow motorists to control how the grid delivers electric power to their electric vehicle — at what time of the day and at what rate. For example, if drivers want to charge their cars when the price of electricity is lower, smart charging would automatically give them the ability to do that.
The MOU will allow the firms to combine Nissan’s electric car expertise with GE’s energy sector leadership and grid expertise to further smart grid technology developments.
For the launch of the agreement, the two firms have outlined two key areas for potential collaborations. The first relates to the integration of electric vehicles with homes and buildings. The second focuses on electric vehicle charging dynamics with the larger electric grid. The research team says the combined expertise will give them a full picture — from energy generation to the vehicle itself — of what it will take to make the grid ready.
While the firms expect that the initial small numbers of electric vehicles will not strain the grid, there are a number of potential issues that must be studied and quantified, such as whether clusters of electric vehicles will tax the local electrical distribution system, including transformers.
GE scientist Matt Nielsen, who’s the research lead on the MOU said: “The purpose of this program will be to quantify the impact through both modelling/simulation and actual experimental data. The good news is that the electrified transportation community has recognised these issues and is proactively developing solutions.
Many of the utilities I have spoken with have active programs to make sure their networks and systems are ready for electric vehicles, and that they can provide a great experience for the customer.”
As part of the energy firm’s ecomagination initiative and Smart Grid research efforts, electric transportation is already a key focus area. For example, GE has invested more than $150 million to develop advanced battery technologies that will provide energy storage for several future product applications, including GE’s ecomagination certified hybrid locomotive, tugboats, mining trucks, and heavy service vehicles. GE has also recently increased its investment in battery maker A123 Systems, which is which is a leader in the lithium-ion battery technology used in hybrid cars.
Nissan, is preparing for the launch of its all-electric LEAF model , which goes on sale at the end of 2010 in Japan and the US and arrives in Europe in early 2011.
