DeLorean Energy: The potential of Asynchronous V2G Fleets as Peak Shaving Units

Abstract

DeLorean Energy, defined by the authors as the aggregate storage capacity of an Electric Vehicle (EV) fleet available as spinning reserves for power grid services such as peak shaving and frequency regulation, is dependent on the battery capacity of every individual EV in the aggregate. Since battery capacity is dependent on battery size, battery degradation, minimum state of charge, and battery temperature, the effectiveness of an asynchronous Vehicle to Grid (V2G) fleet operated as a power grid peak shaving unit has historically been reviewed as possible, but economically nonviable. However, due to today's reduced battery costs, peak shaving with an asynchronous EV fleet operated in ideal conditions can be economically viable, and even profitable, especially if the EV's minimum state of charge and the ambient temperature are low. As battery prices continue to decrease and as discharging is better managed, battery degradation costs can also further decrease. This, as modeled in this paper, makes peak shaving using DeLorean Energy an increasingly viable solution for addressing peak loads while simultaneously generating profit for those participating in the system.