The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) are working on a solar-assisted electric vehicle charging station at EPRI's Knoxville, Tenn., research laboratory. Eaton Corp. is aiding in the design process.
The prototype, also known as a Smart Modal Area Recharge Terminal, or SMART station, will provide information on energy usage, the time when the equipment is used, the amount of solar-generated electricity produced and stored, and the potential impact of load clusters (when several vehicles are refueled at the same time) on distribution-system reliability.
The prototype station at EPRI will be followed by others located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and in the cities of Nashville and Chattanooga, as well as an additional one in Knoxville. The SMART station is being deployed in conjunction with the EV Project, managed by ECOtality North America and including a number of partners, such as the U.S. Department of Energy, EPRI and regional utility partners.
SOURCE: EPRI
