The project is being coordinated by Xcel Energy and the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) at the University of Colorado at Boulder, a new research venture by NREL and the university.  The project aims to demonstrate how a smart grid can bring enhanced reliability and visibility to grid energy use.  Participants will be able to monitor and remotely control their homes’ energy use with smart meters.

Toyota’s participation in the project will allow researchers to test how plug-in EVs can fit into a smart grid.  RASEI will analyze customer charging patterns and monitor the interaction between customers and the utilities.  As a bonus, Toyota will be able to test the cars’ lithium-ion battery performance in cold weather and high altitudes.

Other projects have been launched to study the impact of plug-ins on a grid or to test smart meters with utilities, but this is the first to bring all the components together and study how a fully functioning smart grid can work.  The Priuses will be delivered to the project in March 2010.  We’re anxious to hear the results of their research.