Plug-in hybrids key to alternative energy?
Batteries for alternative energy?While some have worried about the environmental effect that plug-in hybrid vehicles might have because of their electricity consumption, others see plug-in hybrids as an integral part of alternative energy production.
"One of the things holding back power from wind is that it's hard to store," says Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute in Washington "Basically plug-in batteries could become storage for wind power."
Interestingly, Brown made these statements while discussing how plug-in hybrids could help food prices. As ethanol use increases, so too will food prices. Since plug-in hybrids limit the need for liquid fuel, Brown asserts that less ethanol would be needed.
As I regularly state, the best of hybrid cars is yet to come.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
6:01 AM
3 Comments:
I agree that this could be a great storage solution for wind energy. Most homeowners who have solar panels are already doing this to power their homes during the evening.
Outside of providing your own power, the question remains how much more electricity can the current grid produce to support plug-in hybrid demand, and is it being produced using clean methods?
Cheers,
Francesco DeParis
Energy Spin: Alternative Energy Blog For Investors
If most plug-in hybrids or electric vehicles did most of their charging at night, the electric grid in the U.S. can withstand the majority of automobiles being converted into plug-in hybrids - this has been verified by several studies. In addition, these studies have shown that pollution would be greatly reduced.
Even more interesting, is the idea of plugging your plug-in at work to serve as a battery to the powergrid. Essentially, during peak business hours, the grid might suck a little juice from your plug-in - actually helping to prevent blackouts.
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