Nonprofit research and development organization, Battelle Memorial Institute, has signed a commercial license agreement US-based Aerovironment Inc., to further the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles.

Battelle-operated Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington developed a technology that directs a vehicle’s battery charger when to start and stop charging based on the existing conditions of the electrical grid.

The new prototype of the EV charging station developed by Aerovironment employ the PNNL technology is expected to stabilize the electrical grid by continuously monitoring the grid’s alternating current and varying the vehicle charging rate.

The technology is also expected to drive down costs for plug-in electric vehicle owners.

As per the agreed terms, Aerovironment will also employ a portion of the licensed technology for a new prototype version of its Level II charging systems.

PNNL lead engineer Michael Kintner-Meyer illustrated that a million vehicles plugged into the grid for recharge at the same time could potentially cause a major strain on the grid.

"The Grid Friendly Controller could prevent those peaks in demand from plug-in vehicles and enable our existing grid to be used more evenly. And our studies have shown that those who use the technology could save $150 or more a year on their electricity bill, and they could potentially receive rebates for providing shock-absorbing services to the grid operator," Kintner-Meyer added.

Prototypes of the new AeroVironment charging system are currently available for beta testing and include Bluetooth wireless connectivity for data streaming and local control functions.