U.S. electric grid has capacity for a lot of plug-in hybrids
A new study for the Department of Energy has identified massive idle "off-peak" electricity production and transmission capacity in the existing electric power system. So much so in fact that it could power 84 percent of the 220 million vehicles in the U.S. if they were plug-in electric vehicles. The study, undertaken by researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, is based on driving the 33 mile per day national average commute with drivers charging their vehicles up overnight.
Sufficient off-peak generation, transmission and distribution capacity already exists in the Midwest and East for all existing vehicles to run on batteries. But the Pacific Northwest may need to stick with biodiesel for the time being because their predominantly hydro-powered system has limited excess capacity.
Predictions resulting from the study into the impacts of very high market penetrations of PHEVs included falling electricity prices due to higher sales without increased investment, and lowered total greenhouse gas emissions. Estimates ranged from five to eight years for consumers to break even on the $6,000 to $10,000 premium PHEV currently command.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 11:25AM (12/14/2006)
This gets even better with the new High Temperature Superconducting Transmission cables now being tested. If only 16% of the stingy drivers who want “free electricity” are willing to install printable solar PV Film panels, concentrators, or imbedded shingles and we have 100% capacity right now! What will happen over the many years it will take to change-out our entire national fleet? That’s anyone’s guess. BET/PHEV to Grid/Home Solar PV is the way to go and we can start right now. Hydrogen is Big Energy’s stall, a lie and a red haring!
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loikll 5:44PM (12/14/2006)
To point out the obvious, it doesn't matter what TODAY'S grid can handle at nighttime, so what? -- it matters what the grid can handle 30 years from now.
There are 230 million or so cars on the road, Americans buy about 17 million cars a year, and even if everyone today became a PHEV convert, it would take many years for carmakers to ramp up capacity and for PHEVs to be a significant portion of new car sales. Put all the numbers together and it's clear that it would take DECADES for PHEV's to constitute the bulk of the existing car fleet, which makes all the hyperventilating quotes in that article completely pointless.
Is the utility industry expanding enough to meet growing electricity demand even without PHEVs to suck current? Are politicians letting them? Have my doubts.
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George Krpan 4:41PM (12/15/2006)
What makes you think there are going to be more cars on the road? How can there be more cars when, in the future, there is going to be less fuel? More cars on less fuel. Could you explain how that's going to work?
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