Kaluza provides software for vehicle-grid integration program in California

Smart charging—which simply means scheduling EV charging for times of lower electrical demand—can greatly reduce the burden EVs place on the grid. In areas where utilities offer time-of-use rates, it can also save EV drivers substantial sums.

East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), a public agency devoted to providing clean energy in California’s Bay Area, is working with energy software provider Kaluza on a vehicle-grid integration (VGI) program. This program is designed to reduce demand on the grid by automatically shifting charging away from peak times, while still allowing drivers to use their cars when they need to.

The EBCE Smart Charge app, developed by Kaluza, will initially service around 1,000 EV drivers. Drivers can use the mobile app to specify when they will need their cars, and optimize charging to occur when energy is cheaper and greener. EBCE claims that the service could enable an EV driver to save as much as $550 a year by taking advantage of a preferential EV charging tariff, while also reducing CO2 emissions.

The Kaluza platform will follow real-time price signals to enable cars to store energy during off-peak times, thereby enabling EBCE to maximize its contracted wind and solar capacity.

“Electric vehicles offer a terrific opportunity for us to cut carbon and costs, but only if the grid is ready,” said Kaluza CEO Scott Neuman. “Software that enables us to optimize charging is here, and it’s now time to use it so that we can start reaping the full rewards of electric vehicles.”

The service marks Kaluza’s first deployment in North America—the company has worked with OVO Energy in the UK, AGL Energy in Australia and Mitsubishi in Japan.

“A well-managed power grid is a benefit to the entire community, both in terms of reliable electricity service and keeping prices down,” said EBCE CEO Nick Chaset. “Participants in EBCE Smart Charge will have a hand in directly lowering demand at peak times to increase grid resilience and lower costs for all EBCE customers.”

Piedmont Lithium wins $142-million DOE grant for Tennessee lithium project

Piedmont Lithium has been selected to receive a $141.7-million grant from the DOE, one of the first wave of projects aimed at expanding domestic supply of battery raw material funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The funding will support the construction of Piedmont’s Tennessee Lithium project, which has a budget of approximately $600 million and a goal of establishing lithium hydroxide production capacity of 30,000 metric tons per year.

The Tennessee Lithium project is located in McMinn County, Tennessee. The aim is to produce lithium hydroxide from spodumene concentrate using a process developed by Finnish firm Metso Outotec, which Piedmont says will deliver lower emissions than traditional processes.

Construction is to begin in 2023, and production expected to commence in 2025.

Piedmont is also developing projects in Quebec, Ghana and North Carolina. When its current portfolio of lithium assets becomes fully operational (by 2026), the company expects to be producing 60,000 tons per year of lithium hydroxide in the US. Piedmont estimates that the new US battery plants currently in the pipeline will require a collective 600,000 tons per year.

“The US government is putting investment dollars behind its policies to support energy independence and national security, and we are grateful to be selected to help spur critical, domestic development of the EV battery supply chain,” said Piedmont CEO Keith Phillips. “Over 80% of lithium hydroxide production today occurs in China. This grant will accelerate the development of the Tennessee Lithium project as a world-class lithium hydroxide operation, which is expected to more than double the domestic production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in the US.”

Electric bus using Equipmake’s ZED powertrain unveiled in Buenos Aires

A new electric bus, developed by electrification specialist Equipmake in collaboration with Argentine-Brazilian bus manufacturer Agrale, was launched at the recent C40 World Mayors Conference in Buenos Aires.

Working with Agrale and Argentine coachbuilder Todo Bus, Equipmake developed an electric version of the single-deck Agrale MT17.0 LE, installing its own Zero-Emission Drivetrain (ZED).

The Agrale MT17.0 LEe is a 12-meter single-deck model capable of carrying 70 passengers. The bespoke Equipmake drivetrain features a 318 kWh battery and Equipmake’s own HTM 3500 electric motor, which produces 3,500 Nm of torque and maximum power of 400 kW, and is seamlessly integrated into the prop shaft with no need for a separate transmission, as well as a Semikron SKAI inverter.

Equipmake estimates that the new electric Agrale MT17.0LEe will have a range of up to 150 miles (240 km), more than enough for a day’s use in Buenos Aires. It can be recharged in the depot overnight via a CSS2 DC charging point.

Following successful tests by Agrale, the new bus will now begin in-service trials on the streets of Buenos Aires. Agrale and Todo Bus aim to bring the bus into mass production in Buenos Aires.

Equipmake says its ZED system also enables the repower of almost any type of bus. The company says it can perform up to five repowers a week on suitable models, and that each conversion should cost less than half the price of a new electric bus.

“In parallel with the creation of new electric buses, repowering is an important transitionary technology that can bridge the gap between diesel and a new electric bus fleet,” said Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake Holdings. “There is clear appetite for the technology, with strong demand from operators, leading to the expansion of our facilities in Norfolk.”

Report: Toyota pauses future EVs, ponders stronger shift to them

Planned Toyota electric vehicle lineupToyota has suspended development of some future EVs as it considers a dramatic shift in its overall EV strategy, according to a Reuters report. The automaker in December 2021 announced plans for 30 EVs globally by 2030, teasing about a dozen of them in concept form. But Toyota is now pausing development on some of them, according to the report…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

US-made Bosch EV motors are going into Rivian trucks

Bosch electric powertrainBosch on Tuesday announced the start of EV motor production at its Charleston, South Carolina, facility, with expansion plans already on deck for 2023. Production began earlier this month in a 200,000-square-foot section of an existing building at the Charleston site, Bosch said in a press release. The assembly area includes production of motor…
Source: Hybrid and Electric Car News and Reviews

Bosch dives deeper into the EV industry with +$260M electric motor expansion

Bosch, the world’s largest auto parts supplier, announced Tuesday it will be extending its electric vehicle offerings with a new electric motor expansion at its Charleston, South Carolina, facility.

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Source: Charge Forward