How can we implement smart charging of EVs from renewable energy
The global transportation sector is a major polluter and in 2020 produced approximately 7.3 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.Toxic emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles lead to long-term, adverse effects on public health. petrol or diesel vehicles emit almost 3 times more carbon dioxide than the average EV.
Driving an electric vehicle can help you reduce your carbon footprint because there will be zero tailpipe emissions. You can reduce the environmental impact of charging your vehicle further by choosing renewable energy options for home electricity.From an efficiency perspective, electric vehicles can covert around 60% of the electrical energy from the grid to power the wheels, but petrol or diesel cars can only convert 17%-21% of the energy stored in the fuel to the wheels.
The ultimate aim of electric vehicles is a cleaner environment. That cannot be successful if it results in load on the power grid .Because it requires additional investment in non-renewable resources to deliver the energy. That’s why renewable energy for EV charging is so important . Using renewable energy to power the EV charging infrastructure eliminates the strain on the grid especially when paired with smart EV charging.
Renewable energy source
” Green power is clean electricity produced from renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources. Using green power lowers electricity costs and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to less overall pollution.
-EVs operating on electricity have zero tailpipe emissions, but charging them can result in power plant emissions.If EV is charged with electricity produced from renewable sources, those emissions are reduced or eliminated.
-Using renewable energy source support renewable energy development and reduces the carbon footprint
EV charging from wind energy
Wind energy is typically generated using wind farms that are located far away. This means that the power must be carried over a long distance between the supply and the EV load.
A wind turbine is typically rated on the order of megawatts whereas an EV charger is normally operating on the order of kilowatts. So there is a large difference in the power scale and the capacity of a wind turbine to charge several hundred cars.
Wind energy generations are ideally suited for charging electric cars at home at night.
The generators used in wind turbines usually produce variable frequency AC electricity.AC-to-DC and DC-to-AC power converters used to convert AC power to high voltage or medium voltage 50 Hz or 60 Hz AC power for long-distance power transmission .This power is then moved to low voltage AC power, and the EV can then be charged using either AC or DC charging.This power is then moved to low voltage AC power, and the EV can then be charged using either AC or DC charging.
EV charging from solar energy
Unlike wind turbines ,solar panels can be installed on the roofs of buildings. Therefore, solar power can be generated close to where electric vehicles will be charged, thus reducing transmission losses.Rooftop solar PV systems are typically rated in the order of kilowatts which is similar to the power rating of an EV charger. Solar energy generation is at peak in the daytime Hence, solar generation is ideally suited for charging cars at workplaces during the day.
An efficient way to charge an EV from a PV is to use an isolated DC-to-DC converter and directly charge an EV from a PV using DC charging as shown in the figure.
Summing up
Renewable energy and electric vehicles will work hand in hand to create the future mode of transportation.Wind turbine installation is highly dependent on the location and surrounding environment. Solar systems generate electricity exclusively during the day, limiting their supply to meet the significant typical electricity demand.Wind and solar energy are regarded as viable sources of electricity for EV charging infrastructure.
