PROVIDENCE – National Grid Rhode Island is looking for 500 electric-vehicle, or EV, owners willing to participate in a pilot initiative to look at EV-charging patterns across the state. SmartCharge Rhode Island is a two-year study that will help National Grid prepare for future adoption of EVs, it said in a press release. It’s partnering up with Canada-based connected-car technology provider FleetCarma for the pilot program.
EV owners who participate will utilize advanced-telematics technology, according to National Grid, sent a FleetCarma C2 device to monitor the vehicle’s use, charging and battery activity. SmartCharge Rewards are granted to participants and can be redeemed for cash deposits into a PayPal account.
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According to the statement, “Participants are eligible to earn $50 for getting started and an additional $50 for every year after. Participants are encouraged to sign up by August 15, 2019, to maximize their reward earnings.”
National Grid will look at anonymized data such as where, when and for how long EVs charge and other information to learn more about how EVs impact their electric-delivery systems. It will also examine potential reward strategies that could attract EV owners toward charging their cars at certain times of day, to reduce peak demand.
“Transforming the transportation sector is a key component to making sure we can meet the region’s clean-energy goals,” said John Isberg, vice president of customer solutions at National Grid. “As more and more Rhode Islanders recognize the benefits and importance EV’s play in the clean energy transition, we also need to ensure we are prepared for their increased adoption.”
Findings from the program will reveal important information which can be used to forecast and plan network demand with a high degree of accuracy. This is important to ensure that National Grid Rhode Island stays ahead of the needs of all customers in the state.
National Grid serves networks in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
