Max S. Dunn

Plugin 2010: Smart-Grid Technology and Integration

Posted by: Max Dunn on July 27, 2010 10:04:35

Topic: What technologies will be required, and what opportunities currently exist, to integrate vehicles with the Smart-Grid Speakers

• Matt Smith, Silver Spring Networks
• Dan Bowermaster, Pacific Gas & Electric Company
• Ignacio Contreras, Qualcomm
• Paul Pebbles, Chevrolet

Matt Smith, Silver Springs Network

• Matt has a Sustainable MBA from Presidio Graduate School
• Metering options
  • In car: not utility owned, adds cost to vehicle
  • 2nd residential meter: utility owned, requires add'l install
  • Meter in electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE): utility owned, no add'l installation
• EVs may cover multiple utilities per day, like from PG&E to CAPU (Palo Alto) to SVP (Santa Clara)
• Sliver Springers partners with Clipper Creek to have a communication enabled EVSE 

Dan Bowermaster, PG&E

Integration of Electric Vehicles into the Smart Grid

• Using time-of-use (TOU) rates alone would likely product a second charging peak. However TOU plus smart charging will produce better grid utilitization
• Smart grid comprises of:
  • Sensing: Distribution load sensors, smart meters, home energy monitoring
  • Communication: Smart meters, network access point, public wireless network
• PG&E sees intelligence built into the EVSE in the home to shift charging off-peak

Ignacio Contreras, Qualcomm

Cellular Networks for EV & Charging Infrastructure Integration

• EVs and charging infrastructure will require connectivity
• Reasons why cellular is advantageous
  • Mobility
  • Coverage and availability. 96% of use population covered by mobile broadband, 99% non-rural coverage
  • Standards based
  • Real-time communications
• Concerns
  • Connectivity costs: but these are going down
  • Reliability and security: proven scalability, but end-to-end security needed

Paul Pebbles, Chevrolet

OnStar

• Founded in 1995, more than 5.6 million active subscribers, 95% OnStar penetration in US and Canada
• OnStar uses GPS and cellular to communicate to data center
• OnStar can control charging so that intelligence won't be needed in the EVSE
• They call it "Time of Departure Charging"
• They also have "stop charging" functionality being demonstrated this year
• Mobile app to control charging
• OnStar is wholly owned by GM. In past, has been OEMed by other manufacturers but are not actively pursuing getting into other manufacturers.