Supply and demand across an electrical grid vary continuously, but AC frequency levels must be maintained within a narrow range. Electric utilities perform frequency regulation services by adding or removing generators and load resources as needed. In the future, fleets of EVs equipped with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability could perform this necessary service much more quickly… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "range energy"
New paper: US policies to support plug-ins are ineffective
Governments around the world are taking many different measures to encourage the adoption of plug-in vehicles, but it’s far from clear which of these policies will prove to make sense in the long run. A new paper published in Energy Policy argues that current US policies are inefficient and ineffective. One of the main culprits… Read more »
The most interesting part of the 2014 Cadillac ELR is the software
We often hear automotive engineers talk about the need for a better understanding of the components of an EV. Some have said that there is an inherent inefficiency in many systems because the parts – like the battery cells, motors and inverters – have historically been developed independently of each other and then integrated together…. Read more »
Virgin and Venturi racing teams round out Formula E roster
Two high-profile groups have announced plans to field teams for Formula E, the all-electric racing series that will take place in 10 city centers around the world, beginning in Beijing in September 2014. The Virgin Racing and Venturi teams became the ninth and tenth to join, making the roster complete. Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin empire… Read more »
Via Motors presents solar tonneau for its plug-in pickup
The first question the “average Joe” asks about an EV is often, “Why don’t they put a solar panel on it?” Leaving aside technical details about surface area, insolation, voltage levels and the requirements of vehicle design, the simple answer is that it wouldn’t produce enough energy to justify the cost. However, Via Motors’ VTrux… Read more »
Researchers demonstrate major advance in lithium-sulfur battery chemistry
Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have demonstrated a lithium-sulfur (Li/S) battery that has more than twice the specific energy of current lithium-ion batteries, and that lasts for more than 1,500 charge/discharge cycles with minimal capacity loss. This is the longest cycle life yet reported for any lithium-sulfur battery. The results were reported in the… Read more »
Scientists invent self-healing battery electrode
Researchers from Stanford University and the DOE’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a battery electrode that heals itself, a very useful trick indeed. “Self-healing is very important for the survival and long lifetimes of animals and plants,” said Chao Wang, one of two principal authors of the paper, which appeared in the latest issue… Read more »
North Carolina research team demonstrates improved wireless power transmission
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technology for wireless power transmission that could bring the goal of dynamic wireless EV charging a step closer to reality. “We’ve made changes to both the receiver and the transmitter in order to make wireless energy transfer safer and more efficient,” says Dr. Srdjan Lukic,… Read more »
BMW announces 360º Electric package for BMW i drivers
Upgrading from a legacy vehicle to an EV involves a few lifestyle changes. BMW’s 360º Electric is a portfolio of consumer-oriented products and services designed to smooth the transition and overcome some of the perceived barriers to going electric. BMW’s MINI E and ActiveE field trials have given it a wealth of data about EV… Read more »
An electric school bus is just the beginning of Québec’s electrification plans
Québec’s Ministry of Natural Resources has awarded Lion Bus Inc. $675,000 (Canadian) for a project to develop an all-electric school bus. The new bus will be based on the 72-seat Class C bus already built by Lion Bus, which features a body made largely of composite materials. With the help of three Québec-based partners –… Read more »