The energy industry needs to sort out a number of barriers before electric vehicles come of age. One of these is demand-based pricing by utilities. They charge more during peak demand to shift some load to off-peak. Pity the poor EV driver who must recharge when tariffs are high. A Missouri project wants to test whether lead batteries could assist with EV charging thereby lowering the net cost at peak.
How Lead Batteries Could Assist with EV Charging Soon
Karen Uhlenhuth wrote a post in Energy News on June 25, 2019 explaining how this could work. The project is the inspiration of Consortium for Battery Innovation seeking to advance the cause of lead-acid batteries.
The hypothesis is lead-acid batteries could provide some of the power for an electric vehicle recharge during peak demand. If lead batteries could assist with EV charging this way, and lower consumer energy costs then we welcome it. “This .. innovation could result in a much faster and more effective rollout of EV charging stations.” So says Alistair Davidson, director of Consortium for Battery Innovation referring to tried and tested lead-battery energy storage.
Why Missouri Division of Energy Helped Bankroll the Project
The Missouri Division of Energy is keen to grow the state’s already substantial lead-acid battery industry. That’s because it believes in its potential to contribute to meeting the state’s energy needs according to Solar Power World.
Therefore the Missouri Division of Energy gave $25,000 in federal funds to the consortium towards the project. The next step will be a live test at two EV charging points during 2020. However, Energy News cautions “The batteries add significant cost to charging stations. The type of fast-charger being used for the study costs about $40,000 on its own.
The lead battery adds another $75,000 to the price tag.” Therefore we are going to need economies of scale for this one to become a runner.
Related
Fast Battery Charging Methods Surprise Everyone
Freezing Winter Damping Down Electric Cars
Preview Image: Nissan Leaf Having Supper
