Charge control
Charge control is a technology that lets an electric utility control, in real time, the charging of a gridable vehicle, such as a plug-in hybrid or a battery [electric vehicle]. Through charge control, the utility is able to postpone charging of the vehicle during time of peak demand. Additionally, this technology may enable the owner and the power company to track the vehicle's usage and performance, while on the road and while charging.
Charge control advantages
- During times of peak demand, the electric utility prefers to reduce the demand, rather than turning on additional power plants. In places that subscribe to smart power grid services, the electric utility shuts off appliances such as air conditioners until the peak demand is over. Similarly, charge control allows the electric utility to postpone charging until the peak demand is over. Charge control is not as far reaching as V2G but is very effective because it is less expensive to implement than V2G.
- The hardware used in charge control also monitors the vehicle. As a side benefit, that information is available, through the web, to both the electric utility and the owner, for the purpose of tracking and optimizing the performance of the vehicle.
- Eventually, the electric utility may offer better pricing to owners of charge control equipped vehicles.