EVs ultimate flex fuel

bwilson4web

bwilson4web

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There is a discussion about battery materials at Autoline.TV when I remembered our EVs are the ultimate flex fuel. For Alabama, 100 EV miles are:
  • 38.8 - natural gas
  • 33.9 - nuclear
  • 16.7 - coal
  • 8.4 - hydro
  • 2.3 - renewables
Fuel source is important too.

Bob Wilson
 
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There is also the option to become a renewable energy microgenerator if traceability has any value. It is still possible to have an EV with a zero energy home.
 
I've always thought BEVs are the best choice for energy use, because instead of having millions of independent energy makers (combustion engines), there are magnitudes fewer centralized energy makers on the electrical grid. It's a heck of a lot easier to make the electrical grid greener than it is to replace all the ICE vehicles on the road. So any arguments against BEVs because "electricity comes from coal", etc. are nonsense from a system-wide perspective. As soon as those coal plants are replaced every BEV using them runs cleaner.
 
If CO2 emissions is the biggest concern, then nuclear energy is arguably the greenest and most cost effective option!

The next problem would be solving the residential transformer peak load and a Ford F-150 lightning extended range will charge at 19.2kW (80A). Let's just hope you don't have 6 of them charging 80A simultaneously on the same pole mounted residential transformer!
 
The last utility demand curve looked like a sine wave with the peak 2x over the minimum just after midnight. Off peak charging should solve that problem.

As for CO2, we know the risks but it may not end our species or life. A second Venus is not impossible but unlikely for awhile. Nuclear war bothers me a little more. I am no friend to higher CO2 levels.

Bob Wilson
 
The grid will certainly be able to handle the peak demand from EV charging regardless of time. It's the final residential transformer that could be a problem.

If a 50kVA residential transformer was feeding several homes pulling 19.2VA (roughly 80A x 240V) then it would only support 2 Ford F-150 Lightnings at 80A. Owners would either have to reduce their charging speeds or generate renewable energy for self-consumption. I blame the Decepticons for blowing up those transformers!
 
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