Transportation electrification: From vehicle to grid integration

Rising fuel prices, depleting fossil fuels, and the long-term benefits of clean energy have all provided the opportunity to comprehensively address the transportation electrification and integration of transportation with electric utilities. Electric vehicles (EVs) have many benefits as compared to conventional gasoline cars. Moreover, electrification of transportation systems would enable increased electricity generation from carbon-free and renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydro. It is anticipated that the electric utility and transportation systems in the United States will become increasingly integrated and indistinguishable from each other due to the electrification of the transportation system. This panel will consist of researchers coming from academy and industry. The presentations by the panel will give a broad coverage from electric vehicles to integration and impact of electric vehicles to the grid. From vehicle perspective, the panel will focus on typical EV configurations, challenges associated with EV energy management and high performance traction control technology using artificial neural networks. Regarding EV grid integration, the panel will discuss charging management of EVs, EV integration with renewables, and techniques of using a fleet of EVs in support of automatic generation control in a smart grid framework. The panel presentation and discussion should build a foundation for one of the most critical technological areas to enhance U.S. energy security and environmental sustainability.