V2G Only Works When Ev's Are Plugged in - The L1 Answer
Carbon Management Technology Conference
2013
2013 Carbon Management Technology Conference
Abstract Submissions
Decarbonizing Transportation
Monday, October 21, 2013 - 5:30pm to 6:00pm
Most Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) discussions overlook the simple fact that V2G is of little value unless the vehicles are plugged in all day long to be able to manage the ebb-and-flow of energy needed to balance the grid. But, if they are plugged-in all day, then commuter EVs can all be fully charged with nothing more than a standard 120v outlet (L1). This is good news, since, it is unsustainable to think that employers will outfit every EV in every parking lot with a dedicated 50 amp L2 charging station capable of V2G when a simple 15 amp GFCI outlet can do the same job.
With over 60 million EV vehicle miles behind us, both GM and Nissan admit that most charging is done with L1. Even the State of Maryland EV Infrastructure Council concludes that over 97% of charging-at-work can be met at L1 from standard outlets. The V2G studies need to start thinking smaller and broader at how the proponderance and ubiquity of the L1 outlet will dominate EV charging in the future and how it can be integrated into the V2G schemes.
To date, no one is promoting L1 for the simple reason that there is nothing to sell. There is no market, since L1 outlets already exist everywhere and almost everyone already has one. Cheaper L1 cordsets and integration with existing utility demand-response devices (like those used now on water heaters) are a path that is available now to EV and grid integration at low cost.