Toyota smart-grid technology for its plug-in electric cars

The TOYOTA Smart Center uses plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) – both of which are expected to gain greater use – and home energy management system (HEMS)-equipped smart houses to monitor and coordinate energy used by the vehicles and houses involved, the electricity supplied by the power company, as well as the electricity generated by the houses from, for example, solar panels. It also enables remote monitoring and coordination by providing information to the people using the vehicles and houses.

Specifically, the system collates information transmitted from a household-linked PHV or EV regarding remaining vehicle-battery charge, household power consumption information transmitted by the HEMS, weather forecast data and charge-rate information for specific time segments from the power company. In this way the system can coordinate vehicle recharging and household energy consumption with an aim to minimize CO2 emissions and reduce electricity costs. Furthermore, with a smart phone, users can remotely check the current battery charge of their vehicle and the distance it could travel, adjust the charging time or turn the air-conditioning on or off to ready the car for use. As for the house, the system monitors power consumption, solar-panel electricity production, battery charge and Eco Cute (electric heat pump water-heater system) hot water volume; it also enables users to remotely control their batteries and water heater.

The system can also optimize energy consumption based on users’ lifestyles and automatically control vehicle-battery charging and water-heater use to systematically and reliably make possible energy-saving lifestyles.

Under the Rokkasho Village smart grid demonstration project that began on September 16, TMC is conducting trials of the TOYOTA Smart Center in two houses constructed by Toyota Housing Corporation linked with eight PHVs. Trials will be conducted over approximately two years to improve the system. TMC hopes to market similar systems with PHVs scheduled for launch in early 2012 and with some Toyota Housing homes.

With the TOYOTA Smart Center, TMC aims to link people, homes and vehicles to support the development of a low-carbon society and the establishment of more comfortable and environmentally conscious living.

Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation /quotes/comstock/13*!tm/quotes/nls/tm (TM 71.53, +0.74, +1.05%) , has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. Today, the Company manufactures vehicles and parts at 53 production sites in 27 countries and regions around the globe and is an active member in the communities it serves. In fiscal 2009, ended March 31, 2009, the Toyota Group sold approximately 7.56 million vehicles in 170 countries and regions under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands.

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