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Vehicle-to-Grid Power: A New Source of Clean Transportation and Clean Electric Power

Sepaker:
Dr. Jasna Tomic´
University of Delaware
College of Marine Studies
Newark, DEAbstract:
Pollution problems motivate the use of alternative zero-pollution vehicles which today are mostly electric-drive vehicles (EDVs). These vehicles can provide clean transportation but can also be used as a source of power for the grid. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power refers to electric-drive vehicle providing power to the electric grid when they are parked. Battery electric-drive vehicles can store energy in the batteries and later discharge to sell it into certain electricity markets at opportune times. Especially suitable market for V2G is an ancillary service market for regulation services because it has a very high value while minimally stressing the vehicle power storage system. We evaluated the economic potential of utility-owned fleets of battery electric-drive vehicles to provide power for regulation services. As case studies we analyze two actual battery-electric fleets, consisting of: (a) 100 Th!nk City in New York, operated by commuters, and (b) 252 Toyota RAV4 EDVs in California, operated by utility staff. The economic results vary across fleets, which demonstrates the importance of fleet-specific and region-specific analysis. Factors that emerge as important variables are: (a) the market value of ancillary services, (b) the power capacity (kW) of the vehicle and electrical connection, and (c) the energy capacity (kWh) of the vehicle's battery. Contrary to expectations, the amount of time the vehicles were on the road or discharged did not turn out to be a major variable. The results show that battery electric-drive fleets have significant potential revenue streams from vehicle-to-grid power. We predict that in the short term, electric-drive vehicles will be tapped for high value electricity markets such as regulation services. As those markets are saturated, V2G can begin to serve markets for peak power and storage for renewable electric generation.Seeley G Mudd Bldg., Room 101

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes