- Renewable electric charging may be on the horizon for Chevrolet Volt owners, thanks to a hook-up between OnStar and PJM Interconnection, a major electric transmission company that calls itself "the air traffic controllers of the power grid."
- The two have developed software that manages the use of renewable energy through the Volt's OnStar data connection.
- The setup would notify Volt owners about time-of-use energy pricing. OnStar would regulate the charging of the Volt using a renewable energy signal.
DETROIT — Renewable electric charging may be on the horizon for Chevrolet Volt owners, thanks to a hook-up between OnStar and PJM Interconnection, a major electric transmission company that calls itself "the air traffic controllers of the power grid."
The two have developed software that manages the use of renewable energy through the Volt's OnStar data connection.
The setup is still in the testing phase, but if it goes into production, GM said "customers interested in using it would simply need to sign up. OnStar would then regulate their charging using the renewable energy signal." The benefit is that Volt owners would be notified about time-of-use energy pricing and be able to take advantage of lower rates.
"PJM data shows that peak time for renewable energy generation from wind is generally between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.," said GM in a statement on Monday. "With this in mind, it would be possible for customers to use OnStar's Smart Grid solutions to further reduce their carbon footprint and save money by charging during these off-peak times."
PJM, which is based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, coordinates the movement of electricity in all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. It serves 60 million people. Its Web site says: "We work quietly behind the scenes."
Inside Line says: The OnStar and PJM initiative is part of a larger effort to boost the sustainability and efficiency of the electrical grid in the U.S.
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tbone85 says:
09:46 PM, 01/24/2012
It sounds like you plug the car in when you park it and OnStar manages when the charging takes place by turning the charge on during off-peak lower energy hours. My driving habits fit the profile of the Volt, and making a short run a couple times a month would not take me very far into the gasoline usage.
I agree that it doesn't make a ton of sense for other reasons. Chevy needs to focus this effort on dropping $10-12k off the price of the next vehicle to use Volt tech. It will never be more than a niche/novelty vehicle with the current pricing.
qdp says:
02:56 PM, 01/24/2012
Don't think it makes much sense. It is not worth having that kind of hassle Just for about 40minutes battery drive. Especially when waiting to plug in at the middle of night, some unexpected errand pops up and then you have to drive on gas engine(35mpg), which wipes off all the all virture of the saving.
bengal3200 says:
02:11 PM, 01/24/2012
I don't know much about loops and grids, so please forgive my ignorance, but it sounds like PJM is suggesting that Volters charge their cars during the off peak hours between 10PM and 6AM - or basically, overnight - to optimize this and minimize that. But won't most people be charging it overnight anyway, since most people aren't driving at that time and their cars are parked in garages or driveways with an outlet nearby? I guess I'm kinda missing the point....
teatime2morrow says:
12:23 PM, 01/24/2012
Agreed, if this is not a closed loop system, this sounds more marketing than science. Even charging during off peak hours without renewables reduces one's carbon footprint since that electricity would have gone to waste as powerplants need to provide a baseload regardless of usage.
greenpony says:
09:50 AM, 01/24/2012
Is this a closed loop system? They make it sound like the electricity is coming off the grid, in which case there's no way to guarantee that all of the electricity the car receives is "renewable".