Electric Transportation and Infrastructure

Electric car charging station

As electric transportation moves from the drawing boards to production of operating electric vehicles, battery technology must continue to advance, charging stations and infrastructure must be built, and the entire system must be integrated into the power grid. TVA is conducting research to make sure this transition is a success. Our research focuses on:

• developing technologies to make electric cars and their charging stations work together efficiently
• dealing with the impact of charging stations on the power grid
• finding ways, such as solar-assisted charging and distributed energy storage, to minimize demands on the grid
• refining power system control processes to maximize energy efficiency and take advantage of the environmental benefits of electric transportation
• developing smart charging strategies to help TVA and regional power distributors maximize the potential of electricity to replace petroleum as the transportation fuel of choice.

TVA is working with the Electric Power Research Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, local power distributors and regional stakeholders to develop fast, efficient stations where drivers can recharge their cars. We are also working with industry to research the recycling of car batteries to help meet demand placed on the power grid by the charging stations.

 

TVA is involved in a multi-partner initiative — the EV Project — the largest deployment of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in history.

Learn more about the EV project.

Building the Stations

The TVA SMART Station deployment, powered in part by solar energy, will supplement the network of charging stations developed by ECOtality North America and regional stakeholders across Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga, TN.

The design for the first prototype, known as the Smart Modal Area Recharge Terminal, or SMART station, features power generation by solar photovoltaic panels, stationary battery storage of power and key elements of smart grid technology.

TVA and its partners are making the SMART station design public at no charge so that communities and developers across the country can take advantage of best practices developed there.

 

 

Electric Transportation in the News

Electric Car Interview

Hear an interview with TVA Senior Manager for Transportation and Infrastructure James Ellis about electric transportation.