With the Detroit Auto Show 08 running this week, the BBC has been enthusiastically reporting on the future of the auto. With gas prices hitting $100/Barrel and a greater focus on the environment, greener cars are taking a front stage unlike in the past when they found it difficult to platform their inventions amongst all the steel and chrome.
An interesting discussion caught my attention on how PG&E (Northern California’s Utility) and Google and working on a prototype for an Smart Electric Grid. The grid would charge your Hybrid during the off-peak time allowing you car would give electricity back to the power company. How would this work?
-
If you participate in the program, PG&E’s technology would know when you plugged in your car for recharging – whether at home, work or elsewhere.
-
When electricity demand surges, the grid would tap the car’s battery to avoid having to bring power from non-renewable sources online
-
The smart grid, will communicate with sensors embedded in your washing machines, air conditioners and other household appliances to allow power to be distributed where it is needed most
-
Auto companies are working on a Hybrid car that would be fully electric for the first 50 miles – this would ensure that most of our daily commute would be clean and green .. Furthermore future Hybrids will give up to 75 miles on the gallon … š
A smart power grid would seamlessly allow utilities to shift the balance of energy from hydrocarbons to cleaner forms of energy. This, coupled with greater consumer education is a step in the right direction as it effectively addresses the sources of our energy dilemma.
Tip: Look for an amalgamation of the Auto Industry and the Utility Companies as there is more innovation in this arena.
citizen.africa 