Advances in fuel cell technologies are critical in supporting the integrated grid systems, with their peak-load management and mitigation capabilities, and without which integrating renewables into the energy mix will be a much more expensive and painful affair than often supposed.
"Residential air-conditioning is the peak load problem, and we're able to tackle the load-shifting in a very automated way, " says Matt Rogers, Nest's engineering VP.
Ask any engineering executive at any car company: In order to meet new and ambitious fuel-economy standards in the global markets including a U.S. Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 54.5 mpg by 2025 cars and trucks of the near future will have to exploit the advantages of electric drive (low rpm torque, low-speed efficiency, regenerative braking) in urban driving, while reserving the gasoline-fired engine for times of peak load and sustained demand.
Since John is still doing his laundry during peak load hours, the utility is paying top dollar in infrastructure costs and high-cost backup power plants.