Australian Energy Workers Road Testing Hybrid Vehicles To Be Used As Power Source

October 27, 2009 1:02 p.m. EST

Victoria, Australia (AHN) - Energy workers from Australian energy distributor SP AusNet are currently engaging in a road trial of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). If successful the vehicles could be as commonplace in Australian garages as lawnmowers and even help supplement regional power usage.

Over the next three months, staff from Victorian energy distributor SP AusNet will use the PHEVs for their daily drive to work and for leisure as part of CSIRO and SP AusNet trial.

Engineers have modified the vehicles to carry a 30Ah NiMH battery which is capable of holding a 6kw charge, and a battery charger, to allow the cars to plug into and charge with electricity from the grid or from on-site renewable energy sources.

Officials say the trial is being conducted to collect extensive information on how the existing PHEV technology could be used for a new application: using the car as a large mobile battery which can be integrated and used in the home.

The vehicles have been fitted with instruments which will monitor the travel patterns of different users, and the residual battery power left in the car at the end of the day, which could be available for other uses.

Engineers have said that the parked car could store energy as a source for the house, running appliances or storing off-peak or surplus electricity generated from on-site renewable generators, such as solar panels.