SAN FRANCISCO/ MUNICH: BMW Group and power supplier Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) have announced the results of their ChargeForward project in favour of maximising the use of electricity from renewable resources to charge electric cars.
The main findings at the Sept 12-14 Governor’s Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco are:
> Electric vehicles can help stabilizing the public grid and maximizing the portion of renewables.
> Drivers are willing to change their charging habits in order to align with renewables, given the right messaging and incentives.
> Energy companies can help increase daytime charging with renewables by supporting companies in adding workplace charging.
> Sharing data with other drivers is a motivator for many participants.
> Programmes like ChargeForward improve customers’ understanding of how the grid works, which helps them become more educated energy consumers.
The bottom line is that owners of all electrified cars could be able to make their high-voltage batteries available as a flexibility buffer for power generated from renewable sources. At the same time, they could receive bonuses by charging their vehicle at the best possible time of day – and maximising the proportion of solar energy they use – whether they are at home or out and about and using a public charging facility.
"Our target is to offer charging power generated with the lowest possible CO2 emissions at most attractive prices to drivers of our electric cars," said BMW Group Mobility and Energy Services
chief Dr Joachim Kolling.
"As California advances towards a carbon free economy, this collaboration demonstrates how utilities and automakers can partner to more efficiently use the grid through smart and managed charging. Together we are paving the way for the rapid growth of electric cars and achieving a clean and sustainable energy future," said PG&E senior vice president (energy supply and policy) Steve Malnight.
ChargeForward, a project between BMW and PG&E in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, has been running since 2015. At present, 350 owners of electrified vehicles from the BMW and MINI brands who also have a PG&E supply contract are taking part in the pioneering fleet trial.
