Toyota Tests Vehicle-to-Home Power System With Help of Prius Plug-in Hybrid

"By Anita Lienert, Correspondent | Published Jun 5, 2012

Just the Facts:

• Toyota took a step closer to the "smart grid" on Monday with word that it is testing a vehicle-to-home power system with the help of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
• The system can supply power from home to vehicle as well as from vehicle to home.
• The vehicle can act as an emergency home generator during a power outage or supplement power during peak load periods.

TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota took a step closer to the "smart grid" on Monday with word that it is testing a vehicle-to-home power system with the help of the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.

The system can supply power from home to vehicle as well as from vehicle to home.

The vehicle can act as an emergency home generator during a power outage or supplement power during peak load periods.

"An AC 100V inverter onboard the Prius converts stored power into AC suitable for home use, while power flow is controlled according to communication between vehicle, charging stand and home," said Toyota in a statement. "With this new method, low-carbon electricity generated from regional or home solar generators, or low-cost late-night electricity, can be stored in a vehicle's drive battery and then used to supply power to the household during peak consumption times."

Toyota says it estimates that with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas, a Prius plug-in hybrid can supply power for average Japanese household electricity use for four days.

The Japanese automaker said the goal is to promote the widespread use of so-called V2H or vehicle-to-home systems. It said it has also developed "devices capable of supplying electricity from (plug-in hybrid vehicles) directly to home devices for use at emergency shelters in the event of a disaster."

The vehicle-to-home power system will be tested in Japan in 10 homes starting at the end of 2012.

The next step is full integration between vehicles and the electric power grid — so-called vehicle-to-grid, or V2G — with consumers able to control the flow of electricity from smartphones and other mobile devices.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines the "smart grid" as "a class of technology people are using to bring electricity systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote control and automation."

"They offer many benefits to utilities and consumers — mostly seen in big improvements in energy efficiency on the electricity grid and in the energy users' homes and offices," it noted.

Inside Line says: In the future, your Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid may help with more than just your commute."

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