[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

IBM has teamed with Západoslovenská energetika, a.s. (ZSE), the largest distributor and supplier of electricity in Slovakia, on a smart energy “feasibility” study that will help prepare the capital city Bratislava for electric vehicles (EVs), says Big Blue. Using e-mobility technology, the study will help identify the possibilities of connecting two neighboring metropolitan areas – Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria with a “green” highway. This highway will interconnect the two cities with a network of public charging stations for electric vehicles.

This study is part of a larger pilot project – VIBRATe’ (VIenna BRATislava E-mobility), with a goal to reduce emissions with a smarter, energy efficient transportation system. Currently, the average combustion engine produces about 45 kg of CO2 per year during the route from Vienna to Bratislava.

IBM Slovakia is teaming with ZSE to provide insights into various implementation scenarios and infrastructure options for charging. Together, the companies are investigating charging station locations for normal and rapid charging across the borders, as well as analyzing networking availability. This insight will allow ZSE to strategically place charging stations in areas that are convenient for consumers, without straining the distribution system, an issue caused by unpredictable charging across territories.

IBM is involved in more than 150 smart grid engagements around the world, in both mature and emerging markets.

[Image Courtesy: IBM]