Packet Based Energy Delivery Systems

[Internet engineers have long recognized the value of packet based networks, particularly those that support the end to end principle.
 Packet based networks have many advantages over circuit based network architecture such as the ability to easily route around failures, to make more efficient use of network resources and to put the user or end device in control of the network.

In theory, building packet based energy delivery systems would also potentially enable a variety of new economic models or services.  But the biggest challenge is finding a technology that would allow large power loads to be delivered and routed independent of each other from supplier to consumer.  It is hard to imagine building an Ethernet switch or router that can process and handle packets of several hundred kilowatt-hours of power.

However a number of companies and green advocates are recognizing that the electric vehicle may be the ideal “packet” based power delivery system, which has the added advantage of already having  an existing network infrastructure in place made up of our roads and highways.  Rather than charging the eVehicle from stationary charging systems at home or business using power from the utility grid as is done today, a simpler architecture would be charge the vehicle as it moves, either through induction coils, or ultra-capacitor discharge plates embedded in the road bed every few kilometers or at stop lights and drive-through fast food restaurants or banks.

Existing stranded or stand alone green energy sources such as roadside windmills or solar panels could be used to provide power to the induction coils or ultra-capacitor discharge plates (sometimes referred to as pathway charging).  Similarly these devices could be used to store and forward, or route power with every passing vehicle to enable delivery of power from a given source to destination.  For example a fully charged eVehicle arriving at a stop light with an embedded induction coil or ultra-capacitor discharge plate could offload a significant portion of its power to another vehicle that might be passing through the same intersection on another route.  The signaling and destination address of each “power packet” would have to be carried out of band by the automobile wirelessly communicating with the road embedded ultra capacitor or induction coil.

To date the deployment and adoption of electric vehicles has been hindered as they been simply seen as a one to one replacement for the traditional gas vehicle. But if the eVehicle could also be used not only for transportation, but as a low cost alternative to the utility grid, then it might have a much greater take up rate, as well as eliminating range  anxiety.  Imagine if your car could be used to deliver free, or almost free green power, from remote stranded power sources such as windmills and hydro facilities, not only to power the car, but also upon arrival at your destination, to power your home or business as well.

Mitsubishi, Honda and a few other eVehicle car companies are already starting to think along these lines.  – BSA]


For more details please see:
Green Investment Opportunity for small business - on the move electric car charging
http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2010/04/green-investment-opportunity-for-small.html

How California suburban sprawl could be the answer to global warming
http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-california-suburban-sprawl-could-be.html

Pathway Charging and Why Energy needs to be Free to reduce CO2
http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-energy-needs-to-be-free-to-reduce.html

Electric roads and Internet will allow coast to coast driving with no stopping and no emissions
http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2011/05/electric-roads-and-internet-will-allow.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GreenIt%2FbroadbandAndCyber-infrastructure+%28Green+IT%2FBroadband+and+Cyber-Infrastructure%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Bombardier’s Primove
http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/sustainability/technology/primove-catenary-free-operation

Honda’s Roadside Electric Vehicle Charging
http://www.plugincars.com/honda-explores-electric-vehicle-solar-charging-106587.html

A new look at an old idea: Powering autos as they move
http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-look-at-old-idea-powering-autos.html

Mitsubishi wants to use electric vehicles as mobile battery banks
http://www.greentelecomlive.com/2011/08/21/mitsubishi-wants-to-use-electric-vehicles-as-mobile-battery-banks/comment-page-1/#comment-75614


Mitsubishi Motors, Mitsubishi Electric, and Mitsubishi Corp., is set to trial a new energy storage system that will use electric vehicles as battery banks when they are parked.
The project, dubbed “V2X,” will be rolled out in a trial deployment at the parking facility of Mitsubishi Motors’ Nagoya plant by March 2012, and will use the batteries of electric vehicles as storage for energy generated by a set of solar panels on the roof, according to this report by Utility Products citing Electric Daily News.

The system is designed to take the energy generated by the solar panel and then store them in the batteries of the vehicles. While I’m not absolutely sure on the technical details, but the system seems to work by ensuring that none of the power generated by the solar panels are wasted by storing it inside the vehicles. The installation includes built in units that draw power from the vehicles as the grid requires power, including converting it to alternating current for general use.

I’m assuming that the system will have control mechanisms in place so it doesn’t drain the vehicles completely – so employees can get home, and that the vehicles will come into the facility with sufficient [empty] storage capacity to make a difference.

Still, it is an interesting concept. After all, electric vehicles do have the potential to transport energy from one place to another. For example, all parking lots can have solar powered roofs, which will charge the vehicles during the day. Once fully charged, the vehicles can then be configured to pipe some of that power the home in the evening when the use gets home. That would enable every home with an electric vehicle to benefit from renewable energy to some extent – now that would be pretty cool.


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Green Internet Consultant. Practical solutions to reducing GHG emissions such as free broadband and electric highways. http://green-broadband.blogspot.com/

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