March12
With plug-in hybrid electric vehicles promising to be the in between step to rid us of our addition to foreign oil, there are mounting concerns about how PHEVs will impact our nation's power grids. But the Michigan Public Service Commission has decided to tackle the subject head on and has announced a program that will help assess PHEV's affects on the state's power grid.
The program will use actual plug-in hybrid vehicles to determine what effects they have on the local power supply. The MPSC doesn't currently have the backing of any major automakers, but is encouraging The Big Three to join the program. The MPSC will also be inviting the state's utility companies and other related organizations to join the program.
"As the automotive leader of the world, Michigan is uniquely equipped to lead the effort to integrate plug-in hybrid vehicles into its electric grid," MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu told The Detroit News. "The success of plug-in hybrid vehicles is dependent on the deployment of intelligent grid technology."
In addition to discovering what effects plug-in hybrids will have on the power grid, the MPSC will also be examining how the PHEVs could help return power to the system during peak daytime hours.
I guess when all these a$$holes who spray paint Hummers and Excursions get their electric cars New York will be in a blackout.
Bet this study is funded by Exxon and I bet I know the answer already.
Buy copper.
Finally someone is checking into one of the problems I've mentioned all along about plug-in hybrids. It is a BIG problem.
Worth looking into. Someday there may be enough plug in's to effect the grid.
Buring gasoline or buring coal to keep the grid up. Nobody takes kindly to nuclear power…
Great, at least now when my power goes out I'll know why.
But this is a definitie issue that needs to be looked into. It's also a question that needs to be answered, if The U.S or North America because alot of Canada well the southern parts of the provinces that border the U.S are also connected to the same grid remember the huge Northeastern blackout a few years ago? But yeah if potentially hundreds of millions of people are eventually going to be relying on plug in hybrids how will this affect the power grid?
"…to rid us off of our addition to foreign oil,…"
LOL, I guess spell check didn't help there!
But seriously, I think we've been aware that plug in hybrids will screw up the electric grid. I guess is't a good thing SOMEBODY is going to study it.
No no black outs this is an exaggeration like Y2k. Listen the powergrids could more than handle it. But heck we would'nt even need fossil fuel burning PP to power electric vehicles. If they really wanted to they would install Windmills and SolarPlants that could NOT ONLY take care of the Electricity of any major City but all of the cars that get their little charge and headed out again.
Heart64; I agree that more wind/solar is great but not a viable solution for many locales (too cold, not consistent wind) and definately not a solve all to the problem. Hell, Palm Springs even has to supplement their wind power in certain seasons and it has largest wind farm in world and relatively small populace. Many major cities already have blackouts every time the temp breaks 90 degrees.
They're just now thinking about this? California already has huge problems with electricity in the summertime, just image how bad it will get when all the trendy yuppies buy plug-in hybrids.
"No no black outs this is an exaggeration like Y2k. Listen the powergrids could more than handle it.
Comment by Heart64, posted on March12 at 11:19 am"
B.S. - The powergrids in most of the U.S. can't even come close to handling the electric power needs to recharge plug-in hybrids at even half of the households. In NY for example, EVERY year there is a heatwave in the summer and everyone runs their A/C's, there are blackouts and brownouts, transformer explosions, etc. Everytime.
Look at the power demand to recharge a plug-in hybrid or an electric car like the Tesla. It's a LOT more than running a central air conditioner unit.
While I'm against the resources required to build the batteries, I am for the substitution of gas as energy.
"Studies show a very small impact on new electric generation since most usage would be off-peak. The NRDC/EPRI study says, “There is an abundant supply of electricity for transportation” though 2050. According to this study, even a 60 percent U.S. market share for PHEVs would only use 7 percent to 8 percent of grid-supplied electricity in 2050. Much of the electric refueling of PHEVs would occur in the evening hours, when generation is typically more abundant. This would help to make even better, and more efficient, use of existing generating plants.
A December 2006 study by the DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory showed the existing electricity infrastructure has sufficient available capacity “to fuel 84% of the nation’s cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs” for a daily drive of 33 miles if they were PHEVs."
The fact that the grid is antiquated, and needs to be addressed anyway, is another bonus to move to electricity as a source of energy for transportation.
Maybe the future for michigan is nuclear power production
Maybe I'm looking at this too simply, but what has bothered me as someone who doesn't own a house is where will the plug-in outlets be? The only outdoor electrical outlets i've seen in public is in the north where you can plug in the block heater or lamp. That's quite a bit of additional infrastructure to run from your apartment to the parking lot. Imagine how pissed you'd be when someone takes your space then. This may work well when you can put your car in the garage but raises some questions at public parking areas. I have little faith in people and imagine there are plenty who would get their jollies out of unplugging or cutting your charge cable. But hey I'm sure American ingenuity will reign supreme.
yeah, SmegmaVajayjay that would be a good solution. I'm all for nuclear power, here in Michigan I believe we only have two nuclear power plants. One on the western side of the state, and the other in Southeast Michigan.
The problem with nuclear power is obviously the toxic waste that is produced as a by product. One of the ?'s is where do we put all the waste, Right now the Province of Ontario pays our state to dispense its trash over here, which I think is very wrong, they have soo much space up there they should keep their trash, but if they want to trade trash for nuclear waste, I say they could store it in safe facilities up in like the Yukon or northern Canada… lol
Also there is this widespread conception of fear by most people fearing in this country that nuclear energy is bad due to the risk of a nuclear melt down or something, while those are rare, the Chernobyl accident and three mile island accident have instilled fear.
I believe Texas and California is taking more action to increase their nuclear power plant capacity, and look at France who has nuclear power accounting for 79% of their total power for their country.
Correct LP, Hydrogen is the future, now if we can just make it a viable and cost efficient technology we'd be all set. Unfortunately most studies are indicating that we are a few decades away from that actually happening.
hey guys what's an imapct?
… I know they meant impact. I think LLN needs a new editor!
once all homes start making their own, solar, wind, it will be just fine
'Deanster", I love you, man.