In reply to Jed Rothwell's message of Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:36:23 -0400: Hi, [snip] ><[email protected]> wrote: > >However there is also the possibility that a parked vehicle that already had >> fully charged batteries could return some power if the voltage dropped >> below a >> certain level. > > >I see. They have arrangements like that for people with rooftop PV >electricity. I think the equipment is expensive. It would not be practical >until millions of plug-in cars are in use.
That's what I had in mind. > > > > >> >I can't imagine what kind of abuse there could be. >> >> Suppose that someone who doesn't like you decides to tell the power company >> computer to tell your car to stop charging, so that come morning, when you >> are >> about to drive away, you discover that you have a flat battery. >> > >In my wildest imagination I cannot imagine the power company doing that. Neither can I, but that's not what I said. I chose my words carefully. What I had in mind was the power company computer being hacked by someone in the NSA/CIA. Note, not the NSA/CIA as a whole, just an individual, or small group. >I >am pretty sure you could sue them up the wazzoo. I am also pretty sure that >a person driving a fully electric car has to pay close attention to the >battery level, so you would notice, and this nefarious plan would fail. Would you go out to the garage every hour through the night to check that your car was charging? (Maybe once when you first got it, but the thrill would soon ware off. ;) > >With a plug-in hybrid this would not work. You would spend a dollar extra >on gasoline. Agreed. > > > >> Suppose that this happens regularly to people that someone in government >> considers to be "trouble makers". >> > >The power company is not the government. And the government does not do >things like that. It does not want to draw attention to itself. Right, try telling that to the tin hat brigade. :) > > >>Anyway, if they want to >> >give me a reduced rate in return for this, I would be pleased. >> >> That's a decision that each car owner should be able to make for >> themselves. >> > >That's how it works. You have to sign up for these things. They do not give >you the price break without a contract. Georgia Power doesn't, anyway. Actually I meant on an ongoing basis, not a one off decision. I.e. you should be able to get into or out of the scheme at any time, at the flick of a switch. Regards, Robin van Spaandonk http://rvanspaa.freehostia.com/project.html
