PV Benefits Assessment for PV-Powered Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles

Featured Application The paper focuses at photovoltaic (PV) benefits assessment for PV-powered charging stations for electric vehicles including PV sources, stationary storage, and public grid connection. The proposed methodology is presented through the creation of a technical and economic tool for local stakeholders, allowing to identify the preliminary requirements and feasibility conditions for PV-powered EV charging stations leading to PV benefits growth: the needed space, the generated cost of investment, and a qualitative assessment simulating the ecological character of its infrastructure thus dimensioned. Recently, the lift off point for the sales of electric vehicle (EV) was started with a significant increase. Therefore, convenient access to charging station infrastructure is required. The purpose of this work is to assess the role and benefits of photovoltaic (PV) for PV-powered charging infrastructures for EVs by a better energy management. This management is performed by a microgrid based on PV panels installed on roofs or car parking shades, EVs charging terminals, electrochemical stationary storage, and public grid connection. The aim is to define the economic aspects, feasibility and preliminary requirements for this system, in order to avoid overloading the power grid and guarantee a higher percentage of clean energy. The proposed methodology is presented through the modeling and development of a techno-economic tool for local stakeholders, allowing to manage and size EV charging stations, which is divided into three phases. The first phase informs local stakeholders on the necessary space and the maximum sizing as well as the generated cost to install a PV-powered charging station (PVCS). During the second phase, the total cost of the PVCS is adjusted according to the users' budgets and needs. The third phase presents a detailed qualitative analysis of the user-defined configuration. In this phase, the main objective is to assess the performance of the PVCS, and then, to improve its sizing and its operating modes aiming at increasing the use of PV energy, while minimizing energy supplied by the power grid. In addition, it allows evaluating the PVCS performance by proposing an energy balance according to different charging scenarios (virtuous scenario, critical scenario, realistic scenario, and personalized scenario) and weather conditions. Moreover, this tool is reproducible in peri-urban area since it is able to handle any location.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the role and benefits of photovoltaic (PV) for PV-powered charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, proposing a technical and economic tool for local stakeholders to determine the feasibility requirements and needs of PV charging stations in order to increase PV energy utilization while minimizing grid supply.