GM, Ford join “Virtual Power Plant” initative to turn customers’ EV batteries into electric grid heroes

General Motors and Ford Motor Company are joining an effort that will encourage their electric vehicle customers to help the electric grid become greener and more reliable.The initiative involves developing so-called Virtual Power Plants.During times of high electricity demand, a virtual power plant transfers the stored energy from a large number of people’s EV batteries, smart home batteries, and solar panels to the grid to meet high demand.The virtual plants also enroll people who agree to reduce their electricity use when needed.This can prevent blackouts and reduce emissions by avoiding the building of new power plants.Mark Dyson is a managing director with the Carbon-Free Electricity Program at RMI, a non profit dedicated to transforming global energy systems.”EV batteries can behave together just like a very large battery on the power…

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