Talking to the Grid
Plug-in hybrids, which recharge their batteries from the utility grid, could strain that system by increasing electrical demand. Ford is getting around the problem by equipping its plug-in, the Escape, to communicate with smart meters provided by utility companies. As demand varies through the day, so does the price of electricity. The Ford system can be programmed to charge the car when that cost falls below a user-determined threshold or to charge only at certain times of day. Future versions may allow users to request electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar. The first Escape fitted with the system has been delivered to American Electric Power in Columbus, OH, for testing.
Product: Vehicle-to-grid system
Cost: N/A
Source: www.ford.com
Companies: Ford Motor Co.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
This startup wants to copy you into an embryo for organ harvesting
With plans to create realistic synthetic embryos, grown in jars, Renewal Bio is on a journey to the horizon of science and ethics.
VR is as good as psychedelics at helping people reach transcendence
On key metrics, a VR experience elicited a response indistinguishable from subjects who took medium doses of LSD or magic mushrooms.
This nanoparticle could be the key to a universal covid vaccine
Ending the covid pandemic might well require a vaccine that protects against any new strains. Researchers may have found a strategy that will work.
This artist is dominating AI-generated art. And he’s not happy about it.
Greg Rutkowski is a more popular prompt than Picasso.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.