Energy, Environmental and Economic Performance of a Micro-trigeneration System upon Varying the Electric Vehicle Charging Profiles

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles and electric heat pumps would result in radically different household electrical demand characteristics, while also possibly posing a threat to the stability of the electrical grid. In this paper, a micro-trigeneration system (composed of a 6.0 kWel cogeneration device feeding a 4.5 kWcool electric air-cooled vapor compression water chiller) serving an Italian residential multi-family house was investigated by using the dynamic simulation software TRNSYS. The charging of an electric vehicle was considered by analyzing a set of seven electric vehicle charging profiles representing different scenarios. The simulations were performed in order to evaluate the capability of micro-cogeneration technology in: alleviating the impact on the electric infrastructure (a); saving primary energy (b); reducing the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (c) and determining the operating costs in comparison to a conventional supply system based on separate energy production (d)

Chevrolet Volt On-Road Test Programs in Canada. Part 2: Evaluation of Gasoline Displacement and Extreme Weather Performance in Comparison with Other Vehicles Types

Two test programs were conducted to investigate the on-road performance of model year 2012 Chevrolet Volts in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Specific testing routes were defined for various types of city and highway driving. Data loggers and additional instrumentation were installed in the vehicles to accurately monitor variables indicating the use of electricity for driving, as well as the use of fuel by the gasoline engine. The vehicles were tested during various seasons of the year to record their performance over the full range of climate conditions representative for a large part of Canada (from -27 °C to +37 °C). The test results were subsequently processed and analysed to compare the Volt’s performance in charge depletion mode (electric drive) to its operation in charge sustaining mode (hybrid drive). A ‘Gasoline Displacement Factor’ was introduced, which reflects the amount of grid electricity needed to replace one litre of gasoline used for driving the Volt. Test results show very low Gasoline Displacement Factors of 2 – 3.5 kWh/L for summer driving, while values of 3 – 9 kWh/L were observed for winter driving. The test results were also used to evaluate the additional amount of energy that the vehicles would need for driving, and cabin conditioning (heating in winter, air conditioning in summer) under conditions different from the more optimal 20-25 °C temperature range used for most standard performance tests. The Volt’s relative performance under extreme temperature conditions was compared to those of conventional gasoline vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles. Additionally, recommendations for a more optimal use of the Volt under extreme temperature conditions are provided

Optimization of H₂ Supply to the Refuelling Infrastructure for Long-Haul Trucks: Centralized versus Local H₂ Production, and Using Transportation by Tanker Truck or Pipeline

In a simulation study, it was investigated how the costs of supplying H2 for the refuelling of long-haul trucks along highways in Canada can be minimized by optimizing the design of the refuelling infrastructure. Scenarios using local or centralized blue H2 production were evaluated using two different modes of H2 transportation (liquid H2 tanker trucks and pipelines). For each scenario, the average H2 supply costs were determined considering H2 production costs from facilities of different sizes and transportation costs for H2 that was not produced locally. Average H2 supply costs were 2.83 CAD/kg H2 for the scenario with local H2 production at each refuelling site, 3.22–3.27 CAD/kg H2 for scenarios using centralized H2 production and tanker truck transportation, and 2.92–2.96 CAD/kg H2 for centralized H2 production scenarios with pipeline transportation. Optimized scenarios using the cheaper transportation option (tanker truck or pipeline) for each highway segment had average H2 supply costs (2.82–2.88 CAD/kg H2) similar to those of using only local H2 production, with slightly lower costs for the scenario using the largest H2 production volumes. Follow-on research is recommended to include the impact of CO2 transportation (from blue H2 production) on the design of an optimum supply infrastructure

The Role of Charging Infrastructure in Electric Vehicle Implementation within Smart Grids

In the integration of electric vehicle (EV) fleets into the smart grid context, charging infrastructure serves as the interlinkage between EV fleets and the power grid and, as such, affects the impacts of EV operation on the smart grid. In this study, the impacts of charging infrastructure on the effectiveness of different EV operational modes were simulated using a multi-component modelling approach, which accounts for both stochastic EV fleet charging behaviors as well as optimal energy vector dispatch operation. Moreover, a campus microgrid case study was presented to demonstrate the various design factors and impacts of charging infrastructure implementation affecting EV fleet adoption and operation. Based on results from the study, it was shown that charging infrastructure should be adopted in excess of the minimum required to satisfy EV charging for driving needs. In addressing uncontrolled charging behaviors, additional charging infrastructure improves EV owner convenience and reduces queuing duration. Meanwhile, controlled charging strategies benefit from increased resilience against uncertain charging behavior and operate more optimally in systems subject to time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing. Lastly, it was demonstrated that successful vehicle-to-grid (V2G) implementation requires charging infrastructure to emulate the availability and fast response characteristics of stationary energy storage systems, which translates to excess charging port availability, long EV plug-in durations, and bi-directional power flow capabilities well beyond the level 2 charging standard

Energy, Environmental and Economic Effects of Electric Vehicle Charging on the Performance of a Residential Building-integrated Micro-trigeneration System

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric heat pumps (EHPs) would result in radically different electric household demand characteristics, while also possibly posing a threat to the stability of the electrical grid. Micro-cogeneration (MCHP) is considered by the European Community as one of the most effective measures to save primary energy and reduce emissions. The utilization of EVs and EHPs could be a way to boost MCHP profitability and micro-cogeneration systems can also help in reducing the potential negative effects of EVs and EHPs on electric distribution networks. In this paper a micro-trigeneration system (composed of a 6.0 kWel cogeneration device feeding a 4.5 kWcool electric air-cooled vapor compression water chiller) serving an Italian residential house was investigated by using the dynamic simulation software TRNSYS. The charging of an electric vehicle was considered by analyzing a set of EV charging profiles representing different scenarios. The simulations were performed in order to evaluate the capability of cogeneration technology in (i) alleviating the impact on the electric infrastructure, (ii) saving primary energy, (iii) reducing the carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and (iv) the operating costs in comparison to a conventional supply system based on separate energy production

A plausible forecast of the energy and emissions performance of mature-technology Stirling engine residential cogeneration systems in Canada

Building performance simulation has been used to provide a plausible estimate of the operational performance that could be expected from a mature-technology version of a Stirling engine (SE) residential cogeneration system. This was accomplished by applying lessons learned from investigating the actual performance of a prototype SE system. Simulation results show that if this mature technology system were to be applied in a single detached house with average heat demand in the province of Ontario, it would reduce both GHG and NOx emissions and would have lower primary energy input, even in comparison to a reference system consisting of the best available technology for a condensing forced-air furnace and a high-efficient water heater, and the most efficient fossil-fuels based central power production technology (natural gas fired combined cycle). It must therefore be concluded that the mature technology SE system has real potential to improve efficiencies and reduce emissions in Ontario

Impact of electric vehicle charging on the dynamic performance of a micro-trigeneration system for residential applications

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and electric heat pumps (EHPs) would result in radically different electric household demand characteristics, while also possibly posing a threat to the stability of the electrical grid. Micro-cogeneration (MCHP) is considered by the European Community as one of the most effective measures to save primary energy and reduce emissions. The utilization of EVs and EHPs could be a way to increase the use of co-generated electricity as well as boost MCHP profitability. MCHP systems can also help to reduce the potential negative effects on electric distribution networks. In this paper a micro-trigeneration system (composed of a 6.0 kWel cogeneration device feeding a 4.5 kWcool electric air-cooled water chiller) integrated with an Italian residential house is investigated by using the software TRNSYS in terms of (i) impact on the electric infrastructure and (ii) energy savings in comparison to conventional supply energy systems

Propagation of electrical disturbances to automotive batteries in vehicle-to-grid context

This paper investigates the effects of disturbances originating in the electric grid as well as residential appliance inrush currents on the integrity of battery packs in electric vehicles that are connected to the grid or a residence for the purpose of V2G or V2H service. Simulation results show that the effect on battery capacity loss was negligible. The large size of an automotive battery pack allows it to easily withstand the levels of current caused by typical grid based disturbances and appliance inrush currents. Thus, power grid disturbances as they exist, need not be considered a reason to refrain from employing an electric vehicle for V2G or V2H service