EPRI joins the Ford-SCE analysis of PHEV’s on the grid

[xcel]

Another heavy preparing for Peak-Oil with a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle study on grid interaction.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - March 27, 2008

2008 FEH PHEV in Detroit fueled by both the pump and the grid. With a charged pack, the gasoline engine rarely operates in urban areas resulting in FE greater than 100 mpg.

PALO ALTO, CA. – The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Ford Motor Company today announced a three year agreement to develop and evaluate technical approaches for integrating PHEVs into the nation’s electrical grid system, a key requirement to facilitate widespread adoption of the vehicles.

Besides collecting hard data on the PHEV’s power requirements and current draw from the grid at various times throughout the day and night, the study will also consider Vehicle to Grid (V2G) utilization wherein the excess power stored in the PHEV’s pack can be sold back to the power company for grid stabilization when the vehicle is not in use for actual transport.

EPRI will work with utilities in the New York-New Jersey area that will test OEM supplied Ford Escape PHEVs. Subsequent trials will include actual customers of the participating utilities.

Ford, which is already working with Southern California Edison (SCE), is the first automotive manufacturer to partner with the utility industry to facilitate advancing PHEVs. The new EPRI-Ford program will build on the ongoing Ford-SCE partnership and help determine regional differences in how the operation of PHEVs will impact the electric grid system.

Ford has designed 20 OEM Escape PHEVs for testing in the Los Angeles area under the Ford-SCE partnership. With this new EPRI-Ford agreement, Ford is able to expand the evaluation and demonstration program to include other utilities.

“EPRI brings our collaborative efforts related to the potential of plug-in electric vehicle technology to a new level,” said Nancy Gioia, director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies at Ford. “PHEVs have great promise, but still face significant obstacles to commercialization, including battery costs and charging strategies. Ultimately such vehicles must provide real value to consumers.”

PHEVs can play a significant role in achieving two key objectives for the nation including future energy security and a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They could also lower fuel costs and lead to more cost-effective use of the nation’s electricity grid, particularly during off-peak hours.

EPRI, Ford and SCE’s analysis will include data from four areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage, and grid infrastructure. The analysis will also explore stationary and secondary usages for advanced batteries as described in the V2G usage description.

[Dan]

Hurray!!

PHEV conversions available for the 2007 Prius.
PHEV conversions under consideration for the 2008 FEH (MMH).

Now all I need is 20-30k to flip both rides ;-).

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[xcel]

Hi Dan:

___HyMotion/A123Ssytems is already talking about $6,500 for a Prius-II PHEV-30 conversion in quantity this year. I suspect you will be converting both of yours for a lot less than $20 to $30K

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[pdk]

If I could find $6500 extra somewhere, and find a way to plug in at my apartment, I'd be on that like a fat kid on cake.

[Dan]

Yeah, I'm definitely interested in flipping both cars. One of the reasons I was so thrilled we managed to get one of the 2008 MMH/FEH before they sold out.

Problem is really going to be raising the 10-15k (not 20) to flip 'em. Maybe I can be one of their testers or PR stooges. Great sampling. FE nut in one, and non-nut in another. Give them both a test group (Dan) and a control group (Wife).

Need to work out the proposal and get it in the mail ;-).

Any HyMotion or A123Systems Execs out there....

"Will Work for Bats"

Email address for "Will Work for Bats" FE nut:
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Well can't hurt to ask.

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[xcel]

Hi All:

___Doing a little follow up on the story, I have been passed around the Ford Motor Corp Communications department a bit. With the help of the Advanced Technology Communication director, I have been granted an online interview with the Chief ZEV engineer from Ford next Thursday at 02:00 CST. Anybody have any questions besides the ones I am going to bring up along the lines of MG1 RPM and torque limitations, MG2 heat limitations for longer period, higher RPM EV and the general status of the Li-Ion’s they are using in the OEM FEH PHEV?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Dan]

Does "Are you hiring?" count as a question?

I have a few I'll tack onto this thread.

1. I would be very interesting in the dynamics of their startup stages. The S1-S4 analogy to the Prius is fairly valid, but there is also a quick start it will do if the engine is warm. FEH will allow the engine to cut off within (about) 15 seconds of startup if the engine is sufficiently warm.
   
2. Two things that would greatly further the PHEV efficiency of a FEH mod would be to circumvent the forced heating of the CAT, and the ability of the driver to make EV decisions (an EV button). I'd be interested in how fast they could heat the CAT if they used the HV pack (think block heater) instead of exhaust grasses. With how big of a hit you take on the start-up cycle of the FEH I would think it would be an obvious solution to boost efficiency of either a stock or PHEV modded FEH.
   
3. Another point of interest would be why the need to double tap the brake to go into EV. The Prius cuts the engine as soon as you come off the gas. I know people have been working on an EV button mod for the FEH, but have yet to get it working.

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