Electric vehicles as flexible loads – A simulation approach using empirical mobility data

Due to the rapid increase of wind and photovoltaic generation, flexible storage applications become more important. Electric vehicles are supposed as one option to fill the gap between a fixed energy demand and a stochastic feed in from fluctuating energy sources. But the charging loads will also affect the grid load, since the transport sector contributes considerably to the total energy consumption today. This study examines the conflicting relationship between user mobility and grid support and introduces an approach to simulate large vehicle fleets on the basis of individual driving profiles.9744 driving profiles from the German mobility panel were used within this examination. 958 were classified as potential early adopters for electric vehicles. Those vehicles could provide grid support in 81% of the time, when charging spots are available at home and at work. We simulated the charging loads under the restrictions of the individual mobility for the scenario 2030. Uncoordinated charging will increase the load fluctuations, whereas coordinated charging loads allow load shifting without limiting the mobility. The additional electricity demand is moderate over the next two decades.

► We processed and analyzed 9744 driving profiles from a German mobility study.
► We simulated 3 concepts for a charging control, resulting in different load profiles.
► Additional energy demand of electric vehicles is moderate over the next two decades.
► Uncoordinated charging will increase the total peak load, coordinated charging can balance fluctuations.