Stochastic optimization for economic operation of plug-in electric vehicle charging stations at a municipal parking deck integrated with on-site renewable energy generation

Abstract

This paper addresses a novel framework for the economic operation of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) parking decks integrated with on-site renewable energy generation (e.g., roof-top photovoltaic panel). Although the PEV parking decks may enable greater adoption of renewable energy sources by scheduling charging loads to coincide with periods of strong sun, the inherent intermittency and variability of renewable energy resources may complicate the economic operation of PEV parking decks. The proposed framework provides the parking deck operators with a stochastic analytical tool to make an optimal decision on hourly electricity sale prices and the parking fee over the next 24 hours. The stochastic approach includes the consideration of the forecasting errors of variable solar power output and the customers' charging demand. The case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed stochastic approach under a variety of charging schemes, price schedules and operational conditions, and also verify the feasibility and accuracy of this novel framework.