Game-Changer for EVs & Energy Policy!

Are you ready to dive into the electrifying world of vehicles and energy? This episode explores groundbreaking initiatives that are shaping our transportation landscape. We discuss the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's vehicle-to-grid (V2G) program, which showcases how electric vehicles can serve as energy sources for homes and the grid. By providing bidirectional chargers to 100 participants, this initiative highlights the potential for EVs to not only draw power but also give back, transforming how we view personal and commercial transportation.

Our conversation shifts to the innovative strides in battery technology, notably the exciting developments from Mercedes-Benz in solid-state batteries. With impressive advancements that could boost range by up to 25%, the impact of these batteries represents a pivotal moment for the electric vehicle industry. We break down how achieving over 620 miles of range can influence consumer choices and adoption trends while making EVs a more viable option for families and businesses alike.

However, the episode doesn't shy away from challenges. We tackle the recent tariffs on Canadian electricity imports and discuss what this means for energy costs in New England and New York. What are the implications of an estimated $165 million in burdens on consumers and energy operators? How can we navigate these uncertainties?

Finally, we delve into the value of federal research funding and why engaging in robust research initiatives is vital for industries facing unprecedented technological changes. Historical examples, such as the shale gas boom, demonstrate the positive impact of public investment in research. Join us as we explore the challenges ahead, the innovation required, and the collaborative spirit necessary to transform our energy landscape. Don’t miss this insightful conversation—subscribe, share, and let us know your thoughts on the future of electrification!

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I've got your energy stories for the first
week of March 2025.
In the first one, theMassachusetts Clean Energy
Center, masscec, has chosencompanies to support a
vehicle-to-everything initiativeand is now soliciting
expressions of interest fromowners of eligible electric
vehicles.
The pilot will provide a freebidirectional charger to 100

(00:20):
participants in the residential,commercial and school district
sectors.
Masscec identified 11light-duty vehicle
bidirectional-capable modelscurrently eligible across seven
brands, as well as six electricschool bus manufacturers.
Nearly every electric bus outthere today is
bidirectional-capable by design.
As an example, bluebirdannounced in July of 2023 that

(00:43):
it was expanding its warranty onits big Type C eBus with 190
kilowatt-hour battery system toallow for 360 megawatt-hours of
energy throughput, specificallycalling out the ability of V2X
to provide additional revenuestreams and lower owner's
operating costs.
The consulting group ResourceInnovations will manage.

(01:03):
The Massachusetts Endeavor andMobility House, which has
extensive experience in VDGefforts and EV fleet management,
will deliver the vehicle gridintegration software.
This can't happen fast enough.
Per Argonne Labs, who trackssuch data, there are nearly 6.5
million electric vehicles in theUS.
Meanwhile, wri's electricschool bus initiative shows

(01:26):
14,000 electric school buseseither committed or delivered,
involving over 1,500 schooldistricts or fleet operators.
800 school districts alreadyhave e-buses on the road.
Leasing companies Zoom andCalifornia's Oakland Public
School District have one of thebest and most interesting
programs, integrating 74 busesdelivering 2.1 gigawatt hours

(01:48):
annually in a V to G program.
So we know it can be done.
The trick here will be designthis program to ensure we don't
do what it seems we humans oftendo, which is pilot something to
death and never see it trulytake wing.
Here's hoping, sticking withelectric transportation.
It appears Mercedes-Benz ismaking real progress in the race

(02:09):
to commercialize solid-statebattery tech in vehicles.
The company reports it hasinstalled a solid-state battery
pack with sales from US companyFactorial Energy into a modified
EQS sedan, starting road trialslast month.
This solid-state chemistryoffers up to 25% increased range

(02:30):
relative to a battery with thesame weight and size, with an
anticipated overall range of620-plus miles in this
configuration.
While the rapid, unanticipatedand somewhat erratic moves
within the Trump administrationare hitting the electric sector
in multiple ways, this is aboutfentanyl.
Canadian electricity importswill see a 10% levy.

(02:57):
New England and New York gridoperators aren't quite sure what
this means for them but inorder to be ready, each filed
tariffs with the Federal EnergyRegulatory Commission last week.
Iso New England and New YorkISO said they don't think it's
their job to collect theseduties, but they need to
understand theirresponsibilities.
New York ISO commented quotethere is an urgent need for

(03:18):
clarity and certainty regardingthe recovery and allocation of
potential duty-related costs.
Adding it is not yet clearwhether imports of electrical
energy from Canada are subjectto the Canadian tariff order or,
if they are, whether the NewYork ISO will be required to
play any role in collecting orremitting duties.
Unquote the added costs willcertainly sting.

(03:41):
Using data from the past fiveyears, iso New England estimated
that a 10% to 25% tariff onCanadian electricity imports
could amount to import duties ofbetween $66 and $165 million
annually.
And finally, speaking ofuncertainties and layoffs, I
think it's worth mentioning thatcutting basic government-funded

(04:02):
research, whether in health,energy or the other sciences,
risks impoverishing this countryin the future.
I, for one, use DOE sources ona daily basis and I've seen 404s
cropping up on my screen whensearching for reports recently,
things I could access just a fewdays ago.
Let's look at a few use casesof where federal

(04:22):
government-funded research hasbenefited our economy.
Here's a big one, whether youlike it or not, and there's much
to be concerned about it from aclimate perspective.
Fracking is a wholly USinvention.
Us-sponsored research includedmultiple shale gas projects,
including everything fromthree-dimensional micro-seismic
imaging to advanced drill bittechnology development, as well

(04:44):
as close collaboration with theGas Research Institute.
In 15 years, shale gasproduction went from virtually
nothing to about two-thirds oftotal US gas output.
Taxpayer money helped make thathappen, and it continues, with
over a dozen field labs todayfocused on enhancing hydrocarbon
recovery.
Today, our monies also fundmaterial science development in

(05:07):
our national labs, as well ascritically important
cybersecurity initiatives.
Federal research fostersimprovements in advanced
geothermal technologies at theFORGE project in Utah, modular
nuclear technology research,including reactor physics
modeling, simulation and safetyanalysis at Oak Ridge National
Labs.
The list goes on.

(05:29):
Does the federal government needto be managed?
Yes, does our national debtthreaten our future well-being?
Yes, and it needs to beaddressed.
But the chainsaw approach isshort-sighted and
counterproductive.
In a world made up ofinterconnected systems of
systems.
You have to develop anunderstanding of what you're
cutting and the likelyrepercussions, and the current

(05:49):
approach reminds me of nothingmore than somebody at a rapid
weight loss clinic using achainsaw to speedily shed 15
pounds.
Yes, you can cut your arm offand claim a successful weight
loss reduction, but no good willcome of it.
Thanks for watching and we'llsee you again soon.