DEPLOYING COAST-TO-COAST

Understanding how plug-in vehicles will impact their grid, especially at the distribution level, is of increasing importance to utilities. Many utilities, including Duke Energy, ComEd, Puget Sound Energy and BC Hydro are deploying GridPoint’s smart charging application in demonstration projects to explore real-world scenarios and gain relevant experience to inform their strategic planning. Results include:

Real-world understanding of smart charging

• Assess the importance of controlling electric vehicle load at the distribution level
• Explore various charging scenarios, including load shaping & peak shaving
• Investigate synchronizing charging with wind or solar power

Foundational knowledge, critical to strategic planning

• Gain experience enlisting participation in smart charging programs
• Determine system requirements surrounding service area “roaming”
• Acquire relevant learning to inform utility, PUC, and regulator decision making on electric vehicle-related rate schedules
• Establish the benefits of electric vehicles, confirming efficiency, decreased fuel costs, reductions in green-house gas emissions, etc.