Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are among the various distributed energy resources that DOE is investigating in efforts to reduce peak demands on the electric grid; however, unlike microturbines, fuel cells, and photovoltaic panels, PHEVs have the ability to store energy.
At ORNL, researchers are...
For example, ORNL and University of Tennessee power electronics experts at the National Transportation Research Center are seeking to improve inverter design to make devices smaller, lighter, and less expensive.
Technology advancements, such as these distributed systems, will stimulate complexities to the electric grid. Ensuring safe and reliable operations will be necessary as well as identifying additional functionality and improving asset utilization from these systems. See the PHEV Value Proposition Study for more information and resources on PHEVs.
