Flexible electric vehicle charging and its role in variable renewable energy integration

Abstract

AbstractUptake of electric vehicles is accelerating as governments around the world aim to decarbonize transportation. However, swift and widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption will require some degree of controlled charging to mitigate the adverse impacts of electric vehicle adoption. Simulating the interaction between transportation and power requires new modelling tools with operational detail and spatial-temporal granularity. This analysis evaluates the potential benefits of utility-controlled charging (UCC) with the objective of reducing variable renewable energy (VRE) curtailment in decarbonized power systems using a framework that links travel and power system models using an intermediate charging model. Results show that the addition of VRE generation infrastructure shows the most impact on electricity system operating emissions and costs, but EV charging plays a significant role as well. Within EV charging strategies, UCC charging decreases emissions by 7% compared to uncontrolled charging. UCC is proven to be most effective in the summer due to higher electric vehicle fuel economy. Finally, the type of VRE generation infrastructure on the grid may have implications for siting of EV charging infrastructure due to the typical temporal peaks of wind and solar energy. These findings demonstrate how the use of distinct but linked travel and power sector models can be deployed to reduce multi-sector emissions and costs.