Let's Talk: Plug-In Electric Vehicles and Energy Companies Are About to Start Communicating via the Cloud

• Ford is collaborating with seven global automakers and 15 U.S. utilities to develop technology that would allow plug-in electric vehicles to exchange messages with energy providers

• This new software-based technology would let plug-in electric vehicles from all participating automakers communicate with the power companies, managing vehicle charging to help keep the electric grid in balance and running efficiently

• This opt-in program would help manage power and prevent power-grid overload. Owners of plug-in vehicles could receive financial incentives to participate

Ford Motor Company is collaborating with seven of the world’s largest automakers and 15 U.S. utility companies to develop technology for plug-in electric vehicles to talk to the utilities via the cloud – a move that would help manage energy use and improve the efficiency of the power grid.

Collaboration among the automakers, utility companies and Electric Power Research Institute is integral to the pilot program, which will create a standards-based communications platform for use by plug-in electric vehicles and the electric grids. This platform will enable the utilities to contact vehicle customers who have opted-in to the program, sending a request for those cars to stop charging temporarily to help manage a grid that is becoming overloaded.

This approach uses existing communications technology and standards, such as Ford’s MyFord^® Mobile App, and pushes to advance those systems by enabling two-way communication between the electric grid and electric vehicles.

“This innovative platform provides a critical enabler for the next step in vehicle electrification,” said Mike Tinskey, associate global director, Electrification Infrastructure for Ford. “It’s a way for plug-in electric vehicle drivers to be financially rewarded for their willingness to help manage the electric grid.”

Participating utility companies are prepared to offer financial incentives to owners who make their cars available to the grid, similar to utilities offering customers discounts for allowing their home air conditioning to run intermittently during times of high demand. Customers who opt-in to the program can charge their cars at a location of their choice and have the ability to ignore the utility’s request to stop charging.

The formal collaboration between the automakers, utilities and Electric Power Research Institute began in fall 2012. However, the concept and application of electric vehicle/grid integration has been studied extensively by numerous research groups for more than 10 years.

Utilities and regional transmission organizations participating in the software and hardware development and demonstration include: DTE Energy Company, Duke Energy, PJM Interconnection LLC, CenterPoint Energy, Inc., Southern Company, Northeast Utilities, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, Commonwealth Edison, TVA, Manitoba Hydro, Austin Energy, ConEd and CPS Energy.

Global automotive manufacturers working alongside Ford include American Honda Motor Co., BMW Group, Chrysler Group, General Motors Co., Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America Inc., Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc.