01626629

Component

Vehicle-grid-integration (VGI) is a broad concept that describes intentional linking of the electrical grid with electric mobility. The authors focus on utility controlled charging (UCC), which treats plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) as controllable loads. The authors simulate the potential value of UCC in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and electricity generation. Where previous studies have relied on assumptions to define VGI participation, the authors construct a behaviourally-realistic model based on three sub-models: i) a PEV market share model that uses empirical data to simulate consumer choice for vehicles, ii) an empirically-based charging choice model that simulates PEV buyer enrollment in a UCC program, and iii) an electricity system model that defines the hourly operation and long-term evolution of the grid. The authors model consumers, vehicles and electricity usage in two Canadian case regions: one region using mostly hydroelectricity (British Columbia) and one using mostly thermal generation (Alberta). The results show that UCC has a small but beneficial impact on electricity prices in scenarios with strong climate policy, reducing wholesale electricity prices in 2050 by 0.7% in British Columbia (0.6 $/MWh) and by 0.6% in Alberta (0.7 $/MWh) relative to equivalent scenarios without UCC. These electricity system savings correspond to about $50 to $75 per year per participating PEV throughout the modeled period. These savings are somewhat lower than previous studies, as the present study seeks to simulate realistic VGI participation rather than optimize scenarios without behavioural representation. Results are not highly sensitive to assumptions about policy, generation capacity or PEV costs.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ADC70 Standing Committee on Transportation Energy. Alternate title: Simulating the Value of Vehicle-Grid Integration Using a Behaviorally Realistic Model.

01618707

17-06563

English

23p

2017

Transportation Research Board 96th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Appendices; Figures; References; Tables

Choice models; Consumer behavior; Economic impacts; Electric utilities; Electric vehicle charging; Electric vehicles; Greenhouse gases; Grids (Transmission lines); Market share; Mobility; Policy; Simulation

Alberta; British Columbia

Economics; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2017 Paper #17-06563

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 8 2016 12:40PM