IBM, which is focusing on electric vehicles, has collaborated with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and American Honda Motor for a pilot project, which will enable power grid and electric vehicles (EVs) communications.
The capacity of EVs to receive and provide response to grid-based charging instructions will be analyzed by this project. Energy providers will be able to control charging more efficiently during peak hours and conduct consumer-friendly programs to promote EVs adoption.
Due to the growth of plug-in vehicles, demand to charge EVs will also increase. Through the project, reliable source, steady infrastructure and proper charging will be ensured.
Using cloud based software platform of IBM, the project will integrate vehicle and power grid data to produce a unique charging plan for Fit EV battery electric vehicles (BEV) of Honda. The EV can communicate with the power grid and utilities through the Honda Fit EV by the present in-vehicle communications system. Hence, a direct path to send and receive utility information can be created, which may enhance local grid management.
After plugging into a charge post, a request for charging is initiated by the Honda Fit EV through the vehicles telematics system, an application for telecommunication that is also used for navigation. Then, the Electric Vehicle Enablement Platform of IBM receives this charge request. Here, grid information obtained from PG&E and vehicle information like battery condition are aggregated and sent back to the vehicle within seconds. The vehicle is charged according to the battery requirement by this combined data, whilst considering grid limitations.
Source: http://www.ibm.com/press/smarterenergy