GridPoint and Duke Energy Conduct First Ever Commercial Test of Utility-Controlled Smart Charging for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

GridPoint Inc. and Duke Energy announced positive results from what is believed to be the first commercial test of utility-controlled "smart charging" for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Duke Energy engineers tested GridPoint's smart charging capability by plugging a PHEV into a garage wall outlet controlled by the GridPoint SmartGrid Platform in the late afternoon. Duke began charging the vehicle at 10 p.m. and completed charging prior to the morning peak, leaving the car fully charged for the driver's morning commute. GridPoint's platform successfully controlled, measured and verified the charging of an electric vehicle parked in a residential garage.

"Smart charging is an essential capability for Duke and all electric utilities as PHEVs enter the market," said David Mohler, Chief Technology Officer, Duke Energy. "Through this capability, we're able to reduce stress on the grid during peak periods and keep rates low."

GridPoint's smart charging capability enables utilities to control charging regardless of when consumers plug in their PHEVs, which is anticipated to be in the early evening when peak demand is high. Utilities can limit peak load growth as well as offer customers significantly reduced charging costs by billing lower rates for off-peak charging. Additionally, utilities gain complete control over when and how fast PHEVs are charged, allowing utilities to optimize generating assets.

"This is a major milestone in the evolution of the Smart Grid," said Peter L. Corsell, President and CEO, GridPoint. "We are pleased to have worked with Duke Energy to demonstrate PHEV smart charging, and we look forward to continuing to lay the groundwork for managing PHEVs."

Source: www.gridpoint.com