Abstract
The increasing penetration of electrical vehicles (EVs), on the way to decarbonizing the transportation sector, presents several challenges and opportunities for the end users, the distribution grid, and the electricity markets. Uncontrollable EV charging may increase peak demand and impact the grid stability and reliability, especially in the case of non-interconnected microgrids such as the distribution grids of small islands. On the other hand, if EVs are considered as flexible loads and distributed storage, they may offer Vehicle to Grid (V2G) services and contribute to demand-side management through smart charging and discharging. In this work, we present a study on the penetration of EVs and the flexibility they may offer for services to the grid, using a genetic algorithm for optimum valley filling and peak shaving for the case of a non-interconnected island where the electricity demand is several times higher during the summer due to the influx of tourists. Test cases have been developed for various charging/discharging strategies and mobility patterns. Their results are discussed with respect to the current generating capacity of the island as well as the future case where part of the electricity demand will have to be met by renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic plants, in order to minimize the island’s carbon footprint. Higher EV penetration, in the range of 20–25%, is enabled through smart charging strategies and V2G services, especially for load profiles with a large difference between the peak and low demands. However, the EV penetration and available flexibility is subject to the mobility needs and limited by the population and the size of the road network of the island itself rather than the grid needs and constraints. Limitations and challenges concerning efficient V2G services on a non-interconnected microgrid are identified. The results will be used in the design of a smart charging controller linked to the microgrid’s energy management system.
Highlights
Electric vehicles (EVs) have an important role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy and, in the decarbonization of the transportation sector, which is responsible for 22% of total EU-28 greenhouse gas emissions, excluding international aviation and maritime emissions [1]
We study the effect of EV penetration on the electricity demand of a non-interconnected island powered by a diesel-fueled autonomous power station (APS) and the flexibility offered by their storage
The corresponding EV penetration level was calculated as the ratio of the total energy capacity of the N EVs over the total energy demand of the demand curve in each case. k, the fraction of EVs used by permanent residents, was set to 0.3, and m, the fraction of rental EVs, was set to 0.7 for all simulations
Summary
Electric vehicles (EVs) have an important role in the transition towards a low-carbon economy and, in the decarbonization of the transportation sector, which is responsible for 22% of total EU-28 greenhouse gas emissions, excluding international aviation and maritime emissions [1]. The increasing penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) reflects the technological advances in electromobility as well as the impact of the policies implemented at the EU and national levels. The additional electricity needed for charging the EVs could mitigate the environmental benefits if the power generation mix is fossil fuel-oriented [3]. If, this additional electricity demand is met by increasing the share of renewables (e.g., solar and wind power), it has been shown that increased penetration levels of EVs lead to a lower carbon footprint than conventional vehicles [3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
