Electric vehicles — will they bring down the grid?

Concerns have been raised that charging electric vehicles will place unprecedented loads on the electric grid, leading to instability, brown-outs or even outright failure. However, as indicated in the articles linked below, just the reverse may be true:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/new-study-controlled-charging-helps-manage-grid-fluctuations-and-reduces-costs/

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1047023_no-electric-vehicles-wont-bring-down-the-u-s-power-grid

http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/the-smarter-grid/how-green-is-my-plugin

In the interim, I charge at night, when due to the inflexibility of coal fired electricity, there is substantial over-capacity on the grid. Thereby, I capture for later use, electricity which could otherwise be lost. / EV electric vehicles interaction electrical grid EVs drive up electricity prices charged peak demand new study published journal Applied Energy Carnegie Mellon University researchers research control controlled charging PHEV PHEVs battery LiIon lithium ion cell reduce cost costs integrating electrical system BEV shift loads later night cheaper power plants are available Professor Paulina Jaramillo study study’s authors author controlled charging manage fluctuations fluctuation renewable energy sources wind solar power change output wind changes blow blows clouds pass by cheap cheaper charge electric vehicle fill up petrol gasoline vehicle Professor Jeremy Michalek allowing grid operators control electric vehicle charging speed reduce costs additional savings $70 per vehicle each year system systems expect new power plant construction systems wind power solar energy electricity power PV photovoltaic controlled charging vehicle to grid vehicle-to-grid V2G technology vehicle vehicles vehicle’s battery sometimes feeds power back the grid delayed charging vehicle charges off peak off-peak hours take advantage of time-of-use time of use TOU pricing plan controlled charging varies vary charge charging rate help grid manage fluctuations generation especially important systems wind power fastest growing electricity sources system wind penetration capacity expansion market for V2G arbitrage potential limited participation reduced reduce battery increase increasing total energy processed by the battery controlled charging extend battery life by lowering average charge rates rate heat generation controlled charging take advantage high levels wind generation /