Electric Transportation and Infrastructure
Electric car charging station
As electric transportation moves from the drawing boards to production of operating electric vehicles, battery technology must continue to advance, charging stations and infrastructure must be built, and the entire system must be integrated into the power grid. TVA is conducting research to make sure this transition is a success. Research will focus on
- developing technologies to make the cars and the charging stations that fuel them work together efficiently
- dealing with demands on the power grid by charging stations
- finding ways, such as solar-assisted charging and distributed energy storage, to minimize demands on the grid
- refining existing processes for power system control to maximize energy efficiency and take full advantage of the environmental benefits of electric transportation
- developing smart charging strategies to help TVA and regional power distributors maximize the potential of electricity to replace petroleum as the transportation fuel of choice.
TVA is working with the Electric Power Research Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, local power distributors and regional stakeholders to develop fast, efficient stations where drivers can recharge their cars. We are also working with industry to research the recycling of car batteries to help meet demand placed on the power grid by the charging stations.