It doesn't take a genius to state that more power is used at night than during the day, more lights need to be turned on, and more people are home. This knowledge of power usage has been around for decades and electric companies have adjusted according, even offering lower rates for off-peak hours, such as the middle of the night. All of this seems to work well enough this far, but what if ALL of America needed a lot more electric, say for charging their electric car, then what? Michael Kinter-Meyer, of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory believes that even with a substantial number of Americans purchasing, and thus charging, electric cars, power problems could be a frequent issue if power companies are not prepared.
Kinter-Mayer describes a setting in which Americans, many traveling by way of electric car, all leave work, arrive home, and plug in and cause a problem, especially as the sun sets and power usage spikes. Companies are now looking into new ways to divide power so it may be evenly distributed. Though power companies may offer incentives to charge at odd times of day, few people would be motivated to wander to their garage at 3 in the morning. This is simply not enough. Scientists, however, have a few tricks up their sleeves. San Diego Gas & Electric President, James P. Avery, believes that we could see technology that would automatically charge cars when electricity rates were below a customizable level. The rates would vary on time of day, cloudiness, and even wind speed (especially in regards to wind-sourced energy). This would enable Americans to make the connection and wake up to a charged vehicle, even if that charging was scattered over 12 hours while they relaxed at home and slept.
Original article here.
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