Impact of electric vehicles on GB electricity demand and associated benefits for system control

Michael Coldwell, Danielle Strickland, Laurence Chittock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact that electric vehicle uptake will have on the national electricity demand of Great Britain. Data from the National Travel Survey, and the Coventry and Birmingham Low Emissions Demonstration (CABLED) are used to model an electrical demand profile in a future scenario of significant electric vehicle market penetration. These two methods allow comparison of how conventional cars are currently used, and the resulting electrical demand with simple substitution of energy source, with data showing how electric vehicles are actually being used at present. The report finds that electric vehicles are unlikely to significantly impact electricity demand in GB. The paper also aims to determine whether electric vehicles have the potential to provide ancillary services to the grid operator, and if so, the capacity for such services that would be available. Demand side management, frequency response and Short term Operating Reserve (STOR) are the services considered. The report finds that electric cars are unlikely to provide enough moveable demand peak shedding to be worthwhile. However, it is found that controlling vehicle charging would provide sufficient power control to viably act as frequency response for dispatch by the transmission system operator. This paper concludes that electric vehicles have technical potential to aid management of the transmission network without adding a significant demand burden.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication48th international Universities' Power Engineering Conference (UPEC)
PublisherIEEE
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)978-1-4799-3254-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Event48th international Universities' Power Engineering Conference - Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 2 Sept 20135 Sept 2013

Publication series

NameOSA technical digest
PublisherOptical Society of America

Conference

Conference48th international Universities' Power Engineering Conference
Abbreviated titleUPEC 2013 Dublin
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period2/09/135/09/13

Keywords

  • ancillary services
  • demand
  • demand-side management
  • electric vehicles
  • frequency response
  • operating reserve
  • vehicle-to-grid

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