Las Vegas Review-Journal

Our entire society is based on energy. Without it we would live in a truly different world. Keeping our electrical grid robust while avoiding additional carbon emissions is very important. More efficient, cleaner-running vehicles also are necessary. At first glance, one might wonder what the grid has to do with cars. A deeper look shows that the technology exists to create a win-win for utilities and drivers.

Consider the most successful hybrid car on the market, the Toyota Prius. It runs on gas, electricity or any combination of the two, depending on speed, acceleration, etc. You fill it up at the gas station, just like any other car but never plug it in since it generates its own electricity. That electricity is stored in a special hybrid battery. The computerized hybrid system seamlessly chooses the best combination of gas or electric propulsion to maximize mileage and minimize emissions.

At lower speeds, the Prius can briefly operate in pure electric mode. Electric operation is clean, quiet and carbon-free. Some curious and inventive Prius owners have modified their cars, increasing the hybrid battery capacity to allow operation in electric mode for extended periods. The extra electricity comes from charging while plugged in to the garage's electrical outlet, thus the term plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Results from the first PHVs are exciting. They can run up to 60 miles or so in electric-only mode when driving around town. At higher speeds, the gas engine runs but still gets better mileage due to electric assist. Overall mileage for these early conversions is between 100 miles per gallon and 200 miles per gallon, plus the electricity used for charging. The electrical energy cost is about the equivalent of $1 per gallon. If the battery runs down between charges, the car functions as any normal Prius, getting around 50 mpg.

The astute reader will wonder how this can benefit us overall, since most of the electricity from the grid comes from large plants burning dirty coal or other fossil fuels that release huge amounts of greenhouse gasses. Surely, we don't want to burn even more of the fuel that is the primary cause for global warming. This is where the win-win comes in, so stay with me.

One issue with some forms of renewable energy is consistency. The wind does not blow 24/7 and the sun still sets every night. The solution is to generate renewable energy when it's available, storing the excess for later use. A large fleet of plug-in hybrids can provide that storage.

Here's a hypothetical scenario: You purchase a plug-in hybrid that comes with a Renewable Energy and Load Management receiver. Your utility company offers you the option to sign on to its REALM program. You agree to charge your hybrid mostly at night during off-peak times and keep it plugged in when convenient, even if fully charged.

During times of peak demand, the utility sends a radio signal asking all plug-in hybrid vehicles to send some of their stored energy back to the grid to meet the demand. You benefit from this since you will be credited at peak rates for energy you bought at lower off-peak rates. The utility benefits since it is able to use renewable energy sources instantaneously, while reducing the cost of fuel, energy storage and peak power from out of state.

With enough of these vehicles plugged in at any given time, the stability of our national grid can increase while the cost of building and maintaining expensive transmission lines could go down. Best of all, it enhances our ability to implement clean, renewable energy on a much larger scale while reducing vehicle emissions. A win-win for green living.

For more information and links to additional material on plug-in hyybrids, visit >www.greendream.bi

Steve Rypka is a green living consultant and president of GreenDream Enterprises, specializing in renewable energy, green building, alternative transportation and lifestyle choices for both residential and commercial clients. The company is committed to helping people live lighter on the planet. Rypka can be reached via email at steve@greendream.biz or at >www.greendream.bi