EV or Hybrid as emergency power supply

[garybwatts]

I've been thinking about the uses an EV or hybrid would have as an emergency power source to keep your home's power going. I discussed this on the SEVA email list, and my scientist list and came up with a few articles on the subject. With an EV you would drain the batteries unless you had a way to keep them charged with either solar, a generator, or a small hydro power plant like some farms use.  People have kept their house lights running using UPS systems and a prius though.
http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecogeek/864/a-prius-can-power-your-home-in-a-snowstorm.html?pg=2
http://www.solarnavigator.net/vehicle_to_grid_V2G.htm

[rjf]

Interesting.. I work on PHEV Prius conversions and so I am familiar with the cars systems. With the proper Inverter the Prius is probably capable of running an entire house. The 04'+ models have a nominal Hybrid Pack voltage of about 200VDC on paper but it normally hovers around 230VDC as I recall. An inverter capable of running from that supply voltages could fully take advantage of the power of the hybrid system.  I believe the motor generators can easily deliver about 15Amps(~3.5 kW) at idle up to perhaps 30Amps(~7 kW).  There is also a special stationary regen mode in which the car can produce up to roughly 60A(~14 kW) by placing the car in Drive while applying both the break and accelerator.  My numbers could be slightly off, but the Prius is surely capable of running nearly any household loads with the exception of large appliances like your electric oven or dryer.  With the proper modifications the Prius could easily run all your lights, refrigerator, a few small space heaters, and probably a window AC unit.