# GE Technology and How It Will Help Integrate Electric Vehicles Into the Smart Grid

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/ge-technology-and-how-it-will-help-integrate-electric-vehicles-into-the-smart-grid/
- Published: 2020-04-23T20:47:45-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

#### **By txchnologist **

– Mass adoption of electric vehicles, or EVs, has a dark side: when thousands of
EV drivers come home from work and plug in their cars, demand on the electrical 
grid suddenly surges.

Thus, EVs represent a huge challenge for power companies, which must either provide
more power or find a way to manage the loads.

![Nissan Leaf EV Charging ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/
2017/06/img_1139.jpg?resize=135%2C89&quality=52&ssl=1)

Enter General Electric, this magazine’s sponsor, which is developing “demand response”
technology to help utilities deal with the spikes that will come when significant
numbers of EVs ply our roads, according to Jason Black, a systems engineer at GE
Global Research.

So the idea behind demand response is to foster communication. Communication between
customers and the [smart grid](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/smart-grid-technologies-transforming-energy-systems/).
All about power availability and demand. Therefore utilities have been doing this
for decades with “direct load control”.

That means and for example, you’re electric water heater shuts down if demand peaks.

![Source txchnologist](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/
05/image.jpg?resize=150%2C78&ssl=1 "Charging an EV - The Green Living Guy")

Source txchnologist

#### **⏎  A smarter, subtler grid

But the smart grid is much [subtler](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/smart-energy-grid-innovations-for-energy-efficiency/).
So no yo just shutting down appliances. Therefore it can ask homes equipped with
energy management systems, for a specific reduction based on a certain criteria.

So it’s for when drivers [plug in their cars](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/resilience-in-action-get-severe-weather-protection-from-closed-cell-spray-foam-insulation/)
at the end of the day. Black said, “I tell the utility what time I need to be charged
by. Then the utility can schedule that charge at any time in that window.”

![Ford is working with Best Buy to offer EV Charging Stations](https://i0.wp.com/
greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/image3.jpg?resize=135%2C174&quality
=52&ssl=1)

That means that instead of charging a car at 7 p.m., when many people are using 
their microwaves and TVs, the utility can charge it after midnight, when demand 
drops considerably. If 1,000 people in a given network are drawing 6 kilowatts at
a time, rescheduling the charges can shave 6 megawatts of demand at a critical time,
Black said.

And since peak power is the most expensive – and, often, the dirtiest – to generate,
all utility customers will benefit through demand management. It will also decrease
the likelihood of blackouts.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/image1.jpg?resize
=135%2C101&quality=52&ssl=1)

#### **For example, GE and Nissan 󠀁[Leaf](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/new-nissan-leaf-electric-car-represents-intelligent-mobility/)󠁿 went there. **

The Nissan/GE tech will demonstrate some of the most far-reaching technical capabilities
yet of [the future Smart Grid](https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future)
and home, including:

 1. The EV communicating directly with the utility or with the home energy manager 
    to help manage electricity consumption;
 2. The EV acting as a back-up power source in the event of a power outage;
 3. Time-of-Use demand response scenarios where devices in the home like the refrigerator,
    washer/dryer and [EV charger](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/07/ev-charger-a-guide-to-charging-your-electric-vehicle-im/)
    react to changes in the prices of electricity based upon the time of day.

Finally, their teaming up brings together two companies with expertise in the most
critical elements needed to make smart charging work. GE is a world leader in the
energy sector, with a customer base that cuts across the entire electric grid network.

In conclusion, Nissan is one of the world’s top automakers and a leader in electric
vehicles. Finally, the updated all-electric, zero-emission with (V2G or [Vehicle to Grid](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/electric-vehicle-to-grid-services-can-feed-stabilize-power-supply/))
Nissan LEAF is in the United States and Europe.
 Source: [https://www.electricvehiclesresearch.com/articles/2298/ge-nissan-to-drive-smart-charging-for-electric-vehicles](https://www.electricvehiclesresearch.com/articles/2298/ge-nissan-to-drive-smart-charging-for-electric-vehicles)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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