Scenario-based modelling of the potential for solar energy charging of electric vehicles in two Scandinavian cities

Abstract

In order to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) should be charged using electricity from renewable energy sources. This paper describes a study of photovoltaics (PV) utilization for EV charging in two Scandinavian cities: Tromsø in Norway and Uppsala in Sweden, with the objective to evaluate self-sufficiency and self-consumption. The suitable areas for PV were determined using building area statistics and utilization factors. The PV yield was simulated for integration scenarios of 10%-100% of the suitable area. EV charging patterns were generated using a stochastic model based on travel survey data. The scenarios include EV penetration of 10%-100% of the personal vehicle fleet. The results show that the PV energy yield could cover the EV load in most of the scenarios, but that the temporal load match could be improved. The energy balance was positive for all seasons and EV levels if the PV integration was over 50%. The highest self-sufficiency was achieved in Tromsø during summer, due to the longer days. For high EV penetration and low PV integration, the self-sufficiency was higher in Uppsala, indicating that installed PV power is more important than yield profile above a certain number of EVs.