Towards sustainable urban living: A holistic energy strategy for electric vehicle and heat pump adoption in residential communities

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps (HPs) are key in reducing carbon emissions from transportation and domestic heating, yet their adoption may increase peak load demands on electrical networks. One of the aims of this research is to assess the potential impact of uncontrolled EV charging on community-scale distribution networks, exploring how this could stress the existing electrical infrastructure. It also explores the role of EVs in Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and smart charging applications, aiming to enhance community distribution systems. The study investigates the maximum stabilisation level achievable under various scenarios, highlighting the importance of smart energy management in integrating renewable energy and addressing uncertainties in the modelling process. Additionally, this study discusses the proposed systems' scalability, consumer behaviours' impact on the suggested energy solutions, and the potential implications of recent technological advancements for simulated communities. The research employs a sophisticated, integrative approach, combining stochastic methods with several robust energy software. Key findings suggest that uncontrolled EV charging can lead to grid capacity issues at high EV penetration levels, particularly during colder months. While smart charging and V2G technologies can moderate peak loads in many scenarios, achieving 100 % sustainable technology integration requires enhanced energy management or increased network capacity, especially in winter. Wind and solar power integration demonstrates strategic complementarity, particularly in winter, enhancing the reliability and stability of the community grid. It is also observed that peak solar generation hours misalign with the community's highest demand times, posing challenges for solar energy utilisation in EV charging in residential-based areas.