Electric car 'batteries on wheels' could help solve renewable energy's storage issue

Joseph Flaig for Institution of Mechanical Engineers:  Speaking to a small audience of slightly sleepy but engaged industry delegates and journalists at an Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week breakfast briefing, Dolf Gielen from the International Renewable Energy Agency set out his vision for the future of “electromobility”.

Consumers worldwide are embracing electric vehicles, Gielen said. In Norway, half of all cars sold last year were electric, while China, the world’s largest market, is expected to reach 10% next year.

This rapid growth means an abundance of high-capacity batteries sitting in car parks or at the roadside most of the time, Gielen said – but if drivers choose to charge at home, it could also put massive strain on low-voltage, last-mile energy supplies.

“If we do it the wrong way – everybody charges when they come home – we’re going to have a problem,” he said. “We really need smart charging. These cars need to be plugged into the grid, preferably all the time when they are parked, and then there needs to be a box that decides ‘Now is the right time to charge'. There can be incentives to make sure that happens, whether they are price incentives or regulations. That needs to be in place.”

Smart charging could also help tackle a major issue with renewable energy, Gielen said – the massive storage capacity needed to keep grids going when the sun has set and the wind has stopped blowing.  Full Article:

Comments (0)

This post does not have any comments. Be the first to leave a comment below.


Post A Comment

You must be logged in before you can post a comment. Login now.

Featured Product

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide

Introducing RockIt Smart Slide - the ultimate solution for fast and easy installation of the rail-less RockIt racking system on composition shingle roofs. Smart Slide conforms to UL 441 and TAS 100 (A)-95 for wind and wind-driven rain, providing a super-strong watertight seal that is achieved through compression, in most cases without the need for additional sealant. The waterproofing sealant is embedded deep into the granules of the shingle, thanks to the integrated flexible foam layer that provides cushioning. This ensures a secure fit that conforms to any architectural-style shingle. With UltraGrip Technology™, you can rely on a secure installation, as it absorbs the movement created by thermal expansion and contraction. The pre-installed sealing pads are compatible with all composition shingle roofs, making it the ideal choice, even in ambient temperatures as low as 5 degrees.