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Ford Motor Company will join seven global automakers for a first-ever
test of technology that will allow plug-in vehicles to respond in
concert to a request from energy providers to stop, then restart
charging. The demonstration will take place Oct. 16 in Sacramento,
California
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Software-based technology is expected to help manage the high demand
on power grids at peak times, while still meeting driver needs
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Opt-in program will offer energy customers incentives to participate
while helping the utilities prevent power grid overload
Company Website:
http://corporate.ford.com/
DEARBORN, Mich. -- (Business Wire)
Ford Motor Company will join seven global automakers this week for a
first-ever test of technology that will allow utility companies to
communicate with plug-in electric vehicles via the cloud, an advancement
that would help manage energy use and improve the efficiency of the
power grid.
The automakers are collaborating with the Electric Power Research
Institute, leading utility companies and Sumitomo Electric to develop a
two-way communication platform that would allow plug-in electric
vehicles from all participating manufacturers - with their varying
technologies - to work with power grids. The system will enable the
utilities to send a message directly to the vehicle, asking it to stop
charging temporarily as a way of helping a grid that is becoming
overloaded. The opt-in program allows customers to refuse the request if
desired.
The technology demonstration will take place on Oct. 16 in Sacramento,
California, at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s Customer
Service Center.
“This first-ever test is a critical milestone as we move forward with
our collective goal to advance electrification and boost the
environmental benefits that come with that,” said Mike Tinskey, global
director, Vehicle Electrification & Infrastructure for Ford. “Our intent
is to add more capability to this technology so that it may be used
broadly in the future.”
In a typical situation, a vehicle owner would plug the car in for
charging and set a time for departure. If the system detects that
pausing the charge would disrupt driver needs it would not stop
charging. Otherwise, the charge would pause to help conserve power for
the grid.
Utility companies will offer financial incentives to customers who make
their plug-in electric vehicles available to the grid, similar to
utilities offering customers discounts for allowing their home air
conditioning to run intermittently during times of high demand.
Customers who opt-in to the program can charge their cars at a location
of their choice and have the ability to ignore the utility’s request to
stop charging.
“This demonstration represents a major milestone that meets the needs of
utilities and equipment manufacturers while simultaneously benefiting
electric vehicle owners and electricity users,” said Dan Bowermaster,
manager of Electric Power Research Institute’s Electric Transportation
Program.
Utilities and regional transmission organizations participating in the
software and hardware development and demonstration include DTE Energy
Company, Duke Energy, PJM Interconnection LLC, CenterPoint Energy Inc.,
Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Southern Company, Northeast
Utilities, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Company,
San Diego Gas & Electric, Commonwealth Edison, TVA, Manitoba Hydro,
Austin Energy, ConEdison and CPS Energy.
Global automotive manufacturers working alongside Ford include American
Honda Motor Co., BMW Group, Chrysler Group, General Motors Co.,
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America Inc., Mitsubishi
Motors North America Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
North America Inc.
Sumitomo Electric is the platform IT developer for this demonstration.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford
Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the
company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company
provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and high-resolution photos and
video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
John Cangany, 313.317.7691
jcangany@ford.com
Source: Ford Motor Company
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