Published: January 27, 2010
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company to Launch Electric Vehicle Trial
ARLINGTON, Va. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - GridPoint, Inc., an established leader in smart energy solutions, today
announced that Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of
Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), has launched a multiyear plug-in hybrid
electric vehicle (PHEV) demonstration project using GridPoint's smart
charging software. With electric vehicles becoming commercially
available later this year, BGE is eager to explore real-world charging
scenarios, gaining relevant experience to inform their strategic
planning and help shape smart charging options for the future.
Fielding five converted Toyota Priuses and a Ford Escape, and deploying electric
vehicle management technology from GridPoint, BGE will investigate
when and where drivers will charge their vehicles, what effect charging
may have on BGE's peak load periods, and how that load can be managed to
provide cost-efficient energy to customers. BGE will also evaluate the
impact a PHEV fleet has on the company's carbon footprint.
"We recognize many Maryland consumers are looking forward to buying
plug-in vehicles and we want to ensure we're ready to meet their need
for smart charging options," said John J. Murach, director of business
planning and corporate performance for BGE. "GridPoint's proven smart
charging software allows us to understand the impact charging vehicles
will have on our grid and provides the tools we need to seamlessly
support wide-scale adoption of electric transportation."
Vehicle Connectivity Modules (VCMs) will be installed in each vehicle to
establish two-way communication with the grid and log critical
performance data. GridPoint's smart charging software can be used to
manage the flow of electricity to charging vehicles, successfully
balancing driver needs and real-time grid conditions. During peak
periods, the flow of energy can be delayed or slowed to shift the
charging load off-peak - minimizing localized grid stress and ensuring
service reliability. When wind or solar power is available, the charging
rate can be increased to expand the use of renewable
energy in the grid.
"We applaud BGE for proactively planning for the availability of plug-in
vehicles and look forward to collaborating with them on this smart
grid initiative," said Michael J. Carlson, Executive Vice President,
GridPoint. "The application of our smart charging solution for vehicle
and charging infrastructure provides the advanced visibility and
management required to ensure the successful, wide-scale adoption of
plug-in vehicles. We are excited to partner with BGE in deploying it to
their customers."
About BGE
BGE, www.bge.com,
headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest gas and electric
utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers
and more than 640,000 natural gas customers in Central Maryland. The
company's approximately 3,000 employees are committed to the safe and
reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy
management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community
assistance. BGE is a wholly owned subsidiary of Constellation Energy, www.constellation.com,
a FORTUNE 500 company also headquartered in Baltimore, with subsidiaries
that generate, sell and provide other energy-related services to
customers throughout North America.
About GridPoint
GridPoint, Inc., an established leader in smart
grid software and services, enables energy producers and consumers
to manage the transformation to a smart grid. The company's software
applications integrate, aggregate and manage distributed sources of
load, storage and generation. Utilities use GridPoint's solutions to
efficiently balance supply and demand, improve grid reliability and
empower consumers with user-friendly software to manage energy
consumption. Enterprise customers use GridPoint's intelligent energy
management and revenue-grade sub-metering systems to increase their
facilities' efficiency. GridPoint's innovative portal connects
residential and enterprise customers to the smart grid - providing them
with energy information and engaging them in a variety of utility
programs, including demand
response, solar,
storage,
sub-metering
or even smart
charging programs for plug-in
vehicles. With GridPoint's interoperable platform, utility and
enterprise customers realize the benefits of energy
intelligence. The result is a practical path to developing a clean,
efficient 21st century grid. On the Net: www.gridpoint.com
GridPoint
Suzanne Lauer, 703-862-3137
slauer@gridpoint.com
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