Global warming has raised the demand for reduction in carbon emission. Electric vehicles help in reduction of carbon emission as well as elevate gasoline savings. This has captured the attention of consumers, thereby increasing the adoption of electric vehicles.

However, adoption of electric vehicles will increase the demand for electricity. Even low levels of electric vehicle adoption can overburden local areas of the current electricity grid.

In this regard, Smart Grid solutions provider Silver Spring Networks and its partner ClipperCreek, Inc., a producer of plug-in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, together are proactively testing solutions for smart charging of electric vehicles and to address the high demand of electricity without increasing peak power loads or introducing grid reliability issues.

Both the companies will be participating in an innovative plug-in electric vehicle “EV” pilot program, sponsored by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company “PG&E (News - Alert)” and the Electric Power Research Institute “EPRI,” to address the issue.

Through this pilot, PG&E, EPRI, Silver Spring Networks and ClipperCreek together will test solutions that will address the high demand of electricity without increasing peak power loads.

According to a press release, the pilot program is set to begin in autumn of 2010. This pilot program will combine emerging plug-in electric vehicle technology with the scalable, secure, and reliable Smart Grid network already implemented at PG&E. Silver Spring’s Smart Energy Platform, which is based on open, Internet Protocol “IP” standards, will also be leveraged. This platform will enable in continuous, two-way communication between the utility and devices on the grid.

The pilot program will facilitate PG&E and EPRI to test as well as validate the security, scalability and functionality of smart charging technology integrated with the Smart Grid. The new findings will be open to a broad audience, in order to help set best practices for EV charging and utility integration of EVs across North America, say officials.

Silver Spring-enabled ClipperCreek charging stations will be integrated with PG&E’s Smart Grid network platform as part of this pilot platform. These charging stations will be able to relay metered electricity usage data, similar to house meters.

With the help of this architecture, utilities will be able to directly monitor as well as meter the charging station, separate from a house’s electricity load, and to understand the impact of various approaches to EV charging. Consequently, consumers can gain greater visibility into the impact their charging options have on cost, grid reliability and the environment.

“We are proud to be a part of this pilot, helping to create the blueprint for successful electric vehicle integration,” said Scott Lang, chairman, president, and CEO of Silver Spring Networks. “Integration of electric vehicles at scale is one of the great promises of the Smart Grid, and this pilot is an important step toward ensuring successful electric vehicle adoption for both utilities and consumers.”

“To make electric vehicles a reality for consumers, the utility, EV charging technology, and the Smart Grid network must work together seamlessly,” said Dave Packard, president of ClipperCreek, Inc. “This program is vital to cementing that relationship and creating the best experience for consumers.”