Plug It In: NCSU Plans Advanced Transportation Energy Center (ATEC) to Research Electric Automobiles
North Carolina State University is planning a facility on Centennial Campus that will be geared for research on Plug-In Electric Automobiles. The new building will be located next to the Semiconductor Power Electronics Center (SPEC), and like many facilities on NCSU’s cutting-edge technopolis, this one will be a public/private venture. Progress Energy and Duke Energy have already pledged support in funding for the project as well as the development and management of a system of charging stations. (Want fries with that battery?)
Research at the new facility will cover the development of an infrastructure for the operation of plug-in automobiles, energy sources and management of the system, and improvements and development of gasoline-independent batteries.
The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of batteries is a primary concern and potential barrier to the feasibility of these automobiles. Plug-in cars are typically grouped by range; 40 mile, 100 mile, etc. Charging stations would likely function primarily in battery exchange—a transaction much like the propane tank for your gas grill.
NC State’s SPEC, who will be the next-door neighbor, researches “power generation and management, including power semiconductor devices, power management microsystems, utility power electronics and electric power systems.”
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150
02/13 02:49 PM
Wonderful news!
Just goes to show the benefits of higher gasoline prices. Higher short-term prices bring demand for new technology, which turns into new research and projects such as this. Long-term, these translate into less dependancy on oil, lower long-term prices, and increased national security.
Bring on $4.00/gal.
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150
02/13 02:51 PM
Can’t believe I forgot the long-term environmental benefits, too!
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Tim
02/13 03:04 PM
I think a program like this really needs nationwide support to be effective. Still , I think electric is the wrong solution unless we are able to shift our resources from nuclear & coal to more sustainable sources such as wind & solar. Otherwise we shift our dependency on foreign oil to our own homegrown corporations that have already shown their profit-driven disregard for the American public’s well-being (ie. mountain-top removal, mercury air pollution, nuclear waste). Perhaps there are other solutions for our highways, such as vehicles powered by compressed air as seen here:
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bob frew
04/02 03:58 AM
what would be the wattage rating of the average
electic car battery charger and time to recharge after a 40 mile trip? -
Keith Evans
02/16 05:57 PM
The ATEC is part of many great things happening in North Carolina that all in one way or another support the development of a critically important new generation of energy efficient technologies. I am so very thankful for the hard work and vision of many of North Carolina’s federal, state, and local delegates, as well as that of our local academic and university researchers.
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