Apr 27 2010
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a smart charging station, which is a device that facilitates electric cars to recharge during low system load and utilize renewable energy sources at high load. In this manner, the full benefit of solar energy can be exploited.
The concept of electromobility can be ideal only when car batteries get charged from renewable sources of energy. However, the supply of clean energy is not always sufficient. A sophisticated, intelligent charging station can serve this purpose well by adapting the times of recharging to suit network capacity and energy supply.
In an effort to go green, Germany intends to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road powered by renewable energy sources by 2020. Moreover, the environment ministry of Germany expects green electrical energy to contribute 30% of the total power utilized. Theoretically, it may seem possible to attain carbon dioxide-neutral electromobility; however practically it is highly difficult to attain.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE’s Dominik Noeren states that apart from carrying power, smart grids need to carry information as well. The power grid’s structure needs to change from energy demand-based push system to a production output-based pull system. Electric cars are ideal for meeting this challenge. Electric cars have the potential to store large quantities of energy as a car parked out on the sun for a minimum of 20 hours can attain significant recharge.
Source: http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/