Electric vehicles are
gaining traction in markets around the world. Most car manufacturers
now offer electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure is rapidly
being constructed and installed. As has been discussed in a previous article,
electric vehicles and the broader trend of electrification of transport
only makes sense in areas where the power sector has been
de-carbonized. For regions that rely heavily on coal or diesel
generation, electric vehicles powered from grid supplied electricity may
even increase carbon emissions and other pollution relative to
conventional internal combustion cars. Unfortunately, however, there
seems to be little relationship between electric vehicle adoption and
the availability of clean power for charging. This is worrying, as many
EV owners have invested a substantial premium relative to conventional
internal combustion cars primarily due to the environmental benefits of
EVs. If are limited or uncertain environmental benefits, the EV market
will eventually lose credibility and adoption will slow, just at the
point where momentum is building.
Indeed, even in regions with significant renewable resource, the actual marginal source of the power used to charge an individual EV cannot typically be identified. However, unless EV owners are charging their vehicles only during midday in regions with significant photovoltaics (such as California or Spain) or only during windy periods in regions with a large proportion of wind generation (such as northern Germany or Denmark), it is likely that a large proportion of the power used for EVs will be from carbon-emitting conventional sources. The best way to guarantee that your EV is powered by renewable energy is to have localized renewable power. The best option for having localized renewable power for EV charging is a renewable microgrid charging network, based on stand-alone microgrids. These microgrids should include renewable generation (typically photovoltaic power or most suitable local renewable generation type), energy storage (to allow for reliable charging and even fast charging), the charging infrastructure, and the IT and control (to optimize the energy use and battery lifetime as well as interact and communicate with user and operators to ensure good user experience).
Indeed, even in regions with significant renewable resource, the actual marginal source of the power used to charge an individual EV cannot typically be identified. However, unless EV owners are charging their vehicles only during midday in regions with significant photovoltaics (such as California or Spain) or only during windy periods in regions with a large proportion of wind generation (such as northern Germany or Denmark), it is likely that a large proportion of the power used for EVs will be from carbon-emitting conventional sources. The best way to guarantee that your EV is powered by renewable energy is to have localized renewable power. The best option for having localized renewable power for EV charging is a renewable microgrid charging network, based on stand-alone microgrids. These microgrids should include renewable generation (typically photovoltaic power or most suitable local renewable generation type), energy storage (to allow for reliable charging and even fast charging), the charging infrastructure, and the IT and control (to optimize the energy use and battery lifetime as well as interact and communicate with user and operators to ensure good user experience).
An example of a layout for a network of renewable microgrid EV charge points is shown below:
The
advantages of a network of renewable microgrid EV charging stations are
numerous. Firstly it ensures that the environmental and sustainability
benefits of EVs are captured by ensuring that EVs are powered only with
renewable power. Next these charge points can be cost competitive with
the fuel costs for internal combustion vehicles and relative to power
based on diesel generation (subject to the specific local renewable
resources, driving habits and fuel costs). Furthermore, such a network
is scalable allowing additional charge points to be deployed in line
with the local adoption of EVs. It avoids the strain that EV charging,
and especially fast-charging, can have on local grid infrastructure.
This avoids potential power quality or reliability issues and the
requirement for grid investment to accommodate EV charging. This is
especially important for regions with poor grid infrastructure or
lacking the funds for grid investment and upgrade. Lastly, renewable EV
charging microgrids will be purpose built – this allows them to be
located where they will be most useful from a network perspective as
well as allowing for targeted data-collection and analytics. This data
and insight will help identify the factors impacting EV use and EV
charging for future optimization of the microgrid network and to provide
more value to EV owners and drivers.
It is critical to capture the potential environmental benefits of EVs
by ensuring they are charged with power from low-carbon renewable
sources. Networks of renewable microgrid charging stations are an
extremely compelling option for locations with good renewable resource
and either carbon intensive power supply or poor grid infrastructure.
This will be a huge growth opportunity for utilities or companies that
target this space with the potential to grow significantly as EV
adoption takes off.
http://theenergycollective.com/arnaudh/2221166/renewable-microgrid-charging-networks-will-provide-clean-power-electric-vehicles
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