article thumbnail

Ford unveils C-MAX Solar Energi concept; “plug-in” hybrid not dependent on electric grid can fully recharge from sun

Green Car Congress

Ford Motor Company announced the C-MAX Solar Energi Concept, a sun-powered hybrid vehicle that can deliver the efficiency of a plug-in hybrid without depending on the electric grid for recharging. Internal Ford data suggest the sun could power up to 75% of all trips made by an average driver in a solar hybrid vehicle.

Solar 366
article thumbnail

The Net-Zero Neighborhood: Advanced Energy Storage and Highly Efficient Photovoltaics Take Transportation Off the Gasoline Grid and Residential Off the Electric Grid

Green Car Congress

The NZN concept relies on high energy density storage systems incorporated into the local grid, as well as efficient photovoltaic generation. NZN can integrate with the centralized grid. batteries); the creation of grid-enabled consumer-side energy generation appliances; and a robust set of standards and protocols.

article thumbnail

Chrysler Group partnering with NextEnergy to evaluate vehicle-to-grid technology

Green Car Congress

Chrysler Group is working with NextEnergy to evaluate vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology using four all-electric minivans. The battery-powered minivans are connected to a charging module that, using NextEnergy technology, can simulate any electrical grid in the world. Electric (Battery) Plug-ins Smart Grid V2X'

Chrysler 252
article thumbnail

US and Japan collaborating on smart grid project in Hawaii; EV operation and charging, including grid-balancing services

Green Car Congress

have been selected as contractors for a joint US-Japan collaboration supporting a Smart Grid project on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Part of the demonstration plan includes utilization of the EVs for grid-balancing services ( earlier post ). Hitachi, Ltd., Cyber Defense Institute, Inc., and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

Grid 218
article thumbnail

Stanford study quantifies energetic costs of grid-scale energy storage over time; current batteries the worst performers; the need to improve cycle life by 3-10x

Green Car Congress

A plot of ESOI for 7 potential grid-scale energy storage technologies. Benson from Stanford University and Stanford’s Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) has quantified the energetic costs of 7 different grid-scale energy storage technologies over time. Credit: Barnhart and Benson, 2013. Click to enlarge. Barnhart and Sally M.

article thumbnail

New nanoparticle copper compound cathode could enable low-cost, long-life and high-power potassium-ion batteries for grid storage

Green Car Congress

Yi Cui has developed nanoparticle copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) battery cathode materials that demonstrate long cycle life and high power for use in grid storage applications. Short-term transients, including those related to wind and solar sources, present challenges to the electrical grid. —Wessells et al.

Low Cost 304
article thumbnail

A123 Systems to supply 1MW Li-ion grid storage system to Maui Electric Company; 2MW system for NSTAR demonstration

Green Car Congress

Li-ion battery maker A123 Systems will supply a Grid Battery System (GBS) to Maui Electric Company (MECO), a utility serving residents and businesses on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai in Hawaii. The system, NSTAR’s first battery energy storage project, is proposed for installation at a substation in Medway, Mass.

Li-ion 252