Abstract
The combination of electric vehicles (EVs) and intermittent renewable energy sources has received increasing attention over the last few years. Not only does charging electric vehicles with renewable energy realize their true potential as a clean mode of transport, charging electric vehicles at times of peaks in renewable energy production can help large scale integration of renewable energy in the existing energy infrastructure. We present an agent-based model that investigates the potential contribution of this combination. More specifically, we investigate the potential effects of different kinds of policy interventions on aggregate EV charging patterns. The policy interventions include financial incentives, automated smart charging, information campaigns and social charging. We investigate how well the resulting charging patterns are aligned with renewable energy production and how much they affect user satisfaction of EV drivers. Where possible, we integrate empirical data in our model, to ensure realistic scenarios. We use recent theory from environmental psychology to determine agent behaviour, contrary to earlier simulation models, which have focused only on technical and financial considerations. Based on our simulation results, we articulate some policy recommendations. Furthermore, we point to future research directions for environmental psychology scholars and modelers who want to use theory to inform simulation models of energy systems.
Highlights
electric vehicles (EVs) could contribute to the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid; as a source of flexible demand or as storage in vehicle-to-grid (V G) systems (Van der Kam et al )
We have presented an ABM aiming to explore the consequences di erent policies might have on people’s EV charging behaviour
We have focussed on the integration of clean energy and transport via so-called smart charging
Summary
. The recent rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption is generally seen as positive, as EVs potentially provide a cleaner alternative to traditional vehicles. EVs could contribute to the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid; as a source of flexible demand or as storage in vehicle-to-grid (V G) systems (Van der Kam et al ). EVs are typically charged in the early evening, when electricity demand of households is high and renewable energy production is low (E-Laad ). EV users should be encouraged to act in a more sustainable way, by actively or passively shi ing charging demand or to take part in smart charging or vehicle-to-grid schemes operated by parties such as aggregators
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