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07 Aug 2007 HEADLINE


SYNOPSIS: Jon Wellinghoff, a commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, posted a query on Toyota's Open Road blog about the car's vehicle-to-grid capability, or V2G in green car geek talk, which would allow owners to be compensated for generating electricity.

Source: Business 2.0
Class: SYNDICATED NEWS

FERC Official to Toyota: Why Not Plug Prius Into the Grid?

Thanks to Felix Kramer of the California Cars Initiative for tipping off Green Wombat to an enlightening exchange between a Toyota executive and a U.S. energy commissioner on the automaker's blog. The topic: plugging a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version of the Prius into the power grid to supply electricity when demand peaks. Toyota (TM) corporate communications exec Irv Miller wrote a post on July 26 about the company's move to supply plug-in versions of the Prius to the University of California, Berkeley, and UC Irvine for testing. In response, Jon Wellinghoff, a commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, posted a query on Toyota's Open Road blog about the car's vehicle-to-grid capability, or V2G in green car geek talk, which would allow owners to be compensated for generating electricity. "Is Toyota planning on incorporating this 'cashback' hybrid technology into the cars they produce for testing?" asked Wellinghoff. "Studies have demonstrated that PHEV with vehicle-to-grid capability can realize annual payments from electric grid operators of between $1,000 to $3,000. These cashback payments could completely offset the high cost of this technology. What is Toyota doing in this regard?"

In a lengthy reply posted less than a day later - warp speed for a multinational corporation dealing with a hot-button topic - Miller said Toyota's priority is to produce production-ready PHEVs rather than build mini power plants. "Our expertise is in building motor vehicles. It’s not in power generation," wrote Miller. "That’s something that we would prefer to leave to those best equipped to do it." Nevertheless, he went on to discuss the challenges of V2G. Among them:

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4 comments so far...

07-Aug-2007
57494 		   ACPropulsion has V2G in their full electric eBox. They sell the AC-150 controllers to Tesla and others that are V2G capable. CHeck the spot price of electricity diring peak hours. It is very valuable.

This is a whole new way to work together grid and vehicles. High Capacity batteries and clean energy. It adds up to a new world.
Posted by: jim stack

08-Aug-2007
57511 		   While V2G is an intriguing idea I don't see it really being viable. I personally don't want my EV's battery being cycled during the day. A more practical approach is the one being taken that involves the utility companies buying up used EV batteries for their backup storage. The EV owner still gets the advantage of being able to recoup some of his battery investment and the infrastructure cost will be significantly less. However I do think that charging stations for EVs should come with some sort of load management switch so that in times of high demand the utility company can cut them off. In return the utilities should sell this electricity at a reduced rate similar to the discount homeowners get when using load management on their water heaters.
Posted by: Tim Egan
08-Aug-2007
57514 		   Wait one minute, here we have a great story about extending the hybrid Prius by making it into a plug in capable car. Why not go to the next logical step and pull out the engine/generator, transmission and other useless parts that are not required with a pure electric car. After all the car was designed to be light for high mileage and electrical drive. Put a nice 144 v DC motor in it and then we can really see and drive the car of the future. If I had the money I would do it , because after all is said and done this is where transportation has to evolve to in the end. Lets see what problems we have to overcome to achieve this kind of future car. The technology is supposed to be all ready and waiting now. This would be a great place for all the companies that are saying that they have the answer to the battery problem to strut their stuff or they can shut their mouths until they can do something besides make forward looking statements about what they might be able to do in a year or two or three, if ever. In other words put up or shut up, enough promises, smoke and mirrors, talk and no proof. If you are going to talk the talk , then you had better be prepaired to walk the walk.
Posted by: Keith Tomilson
08-Aug-2007
57523 		   I agree with Tim Egan. And with the Toyota official. V2G is an interesting idea. But its viability is questionable. Why tie plug-in hybrids to V2G? Let them both stand on their own merits. Don't make them sink or swim together.

Posted by: john
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