Smart grid conversation technologies are being tested in Indiana by way of a team up between Toyota Motor Corp., Duke Energy Corp. and the not-for-profit Energy Systems Network. Are you in the market to purchase or sell a new or used auto? If this seems like you, don’t go any place else before you check into Gus Johnson Ford!

Toyota team-up seeks to answer questions

The collaboration is meant to test communication specifications that the Society of Automotive Engineers developed. Questions will be resolved such as: How will the power grid be impacted by the interaction? How will hybrids be affected by charges from power businesses?


Five employees involved

In order to do the test, five workers at Duke will be given Priuses that they will be expected to drive regularly. The employees will get free gateway communication systems and home charging stations with the vehicles. They will be expected to drive in Indianapolis with the vehicles.

More than a per-vehicle calculator of power charges, the charging system will give a lot of data for infrastructure for the automobiles. With an online application, the system will also make it possible to pick brand new charging strategies to save money, such as only charging on off-hours when the cost is less.


Starting someplace

Starting in 2013, the program will start in the Indianapolis area. This is because there are over 100 automobile charging systems in the Indianapolis area after the Energy Systems Network’s ‘Project Plug-IN’ was completed.

For The Utmost Value On A new Or Pre-Owned Car, Van, Truck or SUV Look At Austin Howdy Honda Now!

According to CEO Paul Mitchell of Energy Systems Network:


Through Project Plug-IN, the Indianapolis region has been a national leader in the deployment and monitoring of plug-in vehicles with typical consumers, gathering data and taking steps towards making the 'electric commute' a truly practical alternative for more Americans. We're pleased to extend this effort through the partnership with Toyota and Duke Energy, to help our vehicles, charging infrastructure and utilities speak the same language for the benefit of consumers.

There are automobile manufacturers with plants in India, such as General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Subaru. That makes it the second state in the country for automobile manufacturing. Michigan is the number one state. On top of that, there are over 5,000 engineers a year graduated in the state, according to Indiana Commerce Secretary Daniel Hasler.

Info for the future

The effort will not only benefit Toyota and Duke, but it will provide necessary data for a future that will host more and more electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Edward Mantey, a vice president at Toyota Technical Center, stated:

Smart charging through two-way communication with utilities will not only be a benefit to the customers but is crucial for the promotion of transportation electrification.



Sources

Indianapolis Business Journal

Indystar

MarketWatch