A recent analysis of the Centre for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) shows that electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) with solar rooftop photovoltaic (SRTPV) facilities are economically more feasible than those with the grid.
The report seeks to showcase the notion of employing a sustainable source of energy, such as solar, for the charging of Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Among the possibilities analysed, an EVCS linked to RTPV via net-metering represents the best-case scenario with the lowest LCOC (levelized cost of charging), according to the CSTEP’s study.
“The discrepancy between solar energy generation and consumption (from charging) may be addressed by installing net-metering at charging stations.”, the report said.
CSTEP’s system design for the pilot project, which includes a power conversion unit (PCU), SRTPV panels, EV charger, and a lithium-ion battery bank, at the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) Corporate Office premises made the basis for the report.
According to the study, a smart computer unit in the PCU that communicates with SRTPV and battery systems directs the energy flow across EV chargers to maximize the produced solar energy for self-consumption.
Running an electric automobile in the United States results in a higher decrease in CO2 emissions than running it in India, said CSTEP because EVs in India uses grid energy which is largely generated by coal.
As a result, the renewable energy mix of grid electricity becomes critical in allowing real green mobility, CSTEP added.
This technique eliminates the requirement for an expensive battery energy storage system (BESS), claimed the report. “The addition of a BESS raised the cost of PV+storage system electricity by Rs 5.3/kWh.”
The investigation took into account a battery storage capacity of 40 kWh, which stored roughly 16% of the daily solar energy output (on average). Upstream power costs Rs 5, Rs 4.6, and Rs 8.9 per unit for grid-only, PV-only, and PV-plus-BESS, respectively.
The research also includes a unique approach for estimating the LCOC for a certain EVCS with grid-connected RTPV and RTPV with energy storage. The approach may be expanded to evaluate the viability of deploying a grid-connected RTPV + energy storage system to serve any electrical payload in general.
The report also cited that presently, only EV charging standards are in place, with little focus placed on generating power from renewable energy sources. The study’s findings can thus be used to inform strategies for the wider implementation of SRTPV-based EVCSs.
The initial capital investments for installing SPV panels and allied equipment is the deterrent factor. A massive SPV farms installed at barren lands and roof tops can change the scenario. IREDA can spear head this move with cheaper funding