NOTE: I have a 2008 Gen 2 Prius, not an electric Plug In. My electric company has this program to save on electricity use during peak periods. We are in the midst of a heat wave (isn't everybody?!), so we get daily reminders to limit electric use between 2 and 7 PM, peak time. There are 3 programs you can sign up for: Smart Thermostat, Battery Storage Device, and Electric Vehicle. Part of the program is in the attached photo. I see Toyota does not participate in this.
Humm, what does it mean by "Nationa Grid will automatically send a signal to pause charging during peak events, and automatically resume charging afterward"? I don't think any of the OEM EVSEs that comes with cars listed are smart enough to communicate with the grid. It is hard to believe they have the ability to "pause" the charging OTA and automatically resume charging unless it is plugged into some type of "smart" plug that is communicating via WiFi to the grid system computer. No, we don't have anything like that from our utility. Then again, we don't have that many houses with AC in our area. Our heat wave means the temperature tops 80F. I have not seen 90F in our area forecast even during the current heatwave.
My utility company has a program where they’ll install of device that’ll interrupt the current flow drink peak times typically to your air conditioning unit. Theoretically they can do the same thing on the outlet that feeds charging but I know of no way they can resume charging automatically.
I have no idea how it works! SO . . . So I went back to the page, and clicked on the Honda link -- this may help you understand it: https://hondasmartcharge.com/rewards-programs/national-grid-connected-solutions-program/
Oh, got my answer! On that page above, I clicked on the "OTHER PROGRAMS." This is available in California, Mass., and Colorado. Here is the original link to the National Grid programs - smart thermostat, battery storage device, and the electric cars. Kind of interesting that they can control this stuff.
Thanks. Yeah, I see it now. Looks like it is a vehicle-specific App controlled charge management system. That explains the manufacturer's participation in the program. I don't know how advanced the Honda Clarity remote charge capability is, but for Prius Prime, the remote charge monitor using the Toyota App only works half of the time (or less?). I for one don't even have the App installed on my phone. So, unless the manufacturer offers a very robust remote charging capability, it would not work.
It is also scary that they can control these devices remotely... I am seeing some malicious attacks on the system to shut down all the devices for ransom... Definitely not for me.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission has started a program to use home backup generators to power the grid. Sadly, the PSC only regulates private utilities, not a municipal utility like I use. Generac has been in touch with me, but I don't think I can play. (both my generator and my solar are by Generac)
Yes we have that in Colorado and, while I don't have an EV or a Prime, I'm not even close to trusting government control over my utilities! (We can, also, give them control over our Central Heater/Air Conditioner with a special thermostat they send us.) Nope....count me out.
I think the missing link could be implemented in a near future . This could be a smart idea in the good direction but the marketing of the providers must learn more about oem EVSE before lauching their campaign,and recruting clients. EV and PHV cars are still science fiction for many people....including some grid operators.
i think it's a great idea. i wish toyota were participating. there probably aren't enough ev's around gere to be effective, but hopefully there will be someday. now, if only eversource would offer lower rates overnight to encourage charging then...
Note that "National Grid" it an investor-owned utility (NYSE ticker symbol: NGG), not a government agency. Who is your electric utility? I'm seeing MVEA, Mountain View Electric Association co-op, as a major provider in much of your area. That technically isn't a government agency either. Though it appears that a government, the Town of Monument, does control the water supply for much (though not all) of your general area. Personally, I'm happier with utilities from not-for-profit municipal, special service district, and co-op providers than from money-grubbing private and investor-owned corporations. As for hacking? Screw any ransom, I'd bypass the control device.
i own national grid, it's very profitable. next town over from me has a municipal plant and electrons are less than half what i pay eversource. i need the national grid income just to pay my bill
Since it is the Toyota server that talks to the cell phone in the car for remote operations, they really wouldn't need a phone app to do this control, if the software in car supported it. The Toyota App just talks to the server over the Internet to get the server to do the requested remote operation on its behalf. This is different from the media stuff like Apple CarPlay, where the phone talks directly to the car over Bluetooth or USB.
True. But, BIG BUT... I am sure they would first require the phone APP to be installed in order to register the car and owner to the Toyota Server and allow the owner to interface with the App in the car. And, even if BIG IF, Toyota tried to participate in this program, I really doubt they could pull off seamless remote charge management. After all, they can't even do it with the phone app most of the time. LOL
