Electric Vehicles and Charging Facilities for a Sustainable Transport Sector

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Department of Renewable Energy, Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI), University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
Interests: energy positive building; smart switchable material (electrochromic, suspended particle device, liquid crystal); advanced glazing technologies (vacuum, aerogel); first, second and third-generation pv for bipv/bapv; low concentrating pv (lsc, cpc, holography); building physics including materials science, solar radiation, thermal radiation, climate exposure, smart nanomaterials; solar powered electric vehicle (ev); transparent building envelops (transparent wood); sensor technology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electric vehicles (EVs) are indispensable to abate carbon footprints and improve the benign environment across the globe. From 2010, the deployment of EVs on road has been increased exponentially which in turn increased the grid electricity demand. This additional load created power quality and reliability issues in the distribution grid. On the other hand, range anxiety issues are still prominent which is a major bottleneck for EV uptake. Considering the global climate issue, electricity from renewable sources is now getting more priority which can have serious implication on EV adoption if not sufficient charging facilities are implemented. Charging facilities near the workplace, home and highway will definitely increase the EV buyer’s confidence. Thus, the inclusion of millions of EVs in the transport sector needs renewable energy penetration into a grid, improvement of grid infrastructure, up-gradation of batteries and battery management system and smart charging facility, a contribution from an energy storage system.

This Special Issue, therefore, invites all original and review articles covering the aspects of EV charging, EV and storage system (battery, fuel cell, and capacitor), EV charging station and impact on the distribution network, planning and deployment of charging facility.

Dr. Aritra Ghosh
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • electric vehicles
  • battery energy management for EV
  • storage for EV
  • EV charging infrastructure
  • grid integration
  • wireless charging
  • AC & DC fast charging
  • renewable energy in EV charging
  • smart charging

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

33 pages, 10372 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Optimizing Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging Networks in Thailand
by Pitchaya Jamjuntr, Chanchai Techawatcharapaikul and Pannee Suanpang
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(10), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15100453 - 6 Oct 2024
Abstract
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates efficient management of dynamic EV charging networks to optimize resource utilization and enhance service reliability. This paper explores the application of adaptive multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) to address the complexities of EV charging infrastructure in [...] Read more.
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates efficient management of dynamic EV charging networks to optimize resource utilization and enhance service reliability. This paper explores the application of adaptive multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) to address the complexities of EV charging infrastructure in Thailand. By employing MARL, multiple autonomous agents learn to optimize charging strategies based on real-time data by adapting to fluctuating demand and varying electricity prices. Building upon previous research that applied MARL to static network configurations, this study extends the application to dynamic and real-world scenarios, integrating real-time data to refine agent learning processes and also evaluating the effectiveness of adaptive MARL in maximizing rewards and improving operational efficiency compared to traditional methods. Experimental results indicate that MARL-based strategies increased efficiency by 20% and reduced energy costs by 15% relative to conventional algorithms. Key findings demonstrate the potential of extending MARL in transforming EV charging network management, highlighting its benefits for stakeholders, including EV owners, operators, and utility providers. This research contributes insights into advancing electric mobility and energy management in Thailand through innovative AI-driven approaches. The implications of this study include significant improvements in the reliability and cost-effectiveness of EV charging networks, fostering greater adoption of electric vehicles and supporting sustainable energy initiatives. Future research directions include enhancing MARL adaptability and scalability as well as integrating predictive analytics for proactive network optimization and sustainability. These advancements promise to further refine the efficacy of EV charging networks, ensuring that they meet the growing demands of Thailand’s evolving electric mobility landscape. Full article
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14 pages, 2732 KiB  
Article
Geographic Factors Impacting the Demand for Public EV Charging: An Observational Study
by Niranjan Jayanath, Nathaniel S. Pearre and Lukas G. Swan
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(10), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15100445 - 29 Sep 2024
Abstract
The practicality and substitutability of electric vehicles depend on there being a fast, reliable way to recharge on round trips beyond the range of a single charge. Grouping such infrastructure into charging hubs benefits developers and operators through economies of scale and electric [...] Read more.
The practicality and substitutability of electric vehicles depend on there being a fast, reliable way to recharge on round trips beyond the range of a single charge. Grouping such infrastructure into charging hubs benefits developers and operators through economies of scale and electric vehicle drivers in terms of travel logistics and passed-through cost savings. The need for charging capacity at en-route charging hubs is impacted by the following four identifiable geo-social parameters: (a) highway travel volumes, reflecting the rate at which electric vehicles are expending energy in the area; (b) local population, reflecting both the increased needs of electric vehicle owners without dedicated home chargers and the reduced needs of those commuting into a metropolitan center; (c) the quantity of competing charging stations; and (d) being on a critical interprovincial route. Twelve charging stations located in diverse locations around Nova Scotia, Canada, were evaluated in terms of these four parameters, and their recorded use was investigated from a dataset of 26,000 charging events between April 2022 and April 2024. The regression reveals that there are strong positive correlations between demand for fast charging and (a) traffic volumes (45%) and (c) being on an interprovincial route (42%), while there is only a very weak correlation with (b) local population (2%). Interestingly, there is only a weak negative correlation with (c) the number and capacity of nearby competing chargers (−6%), suggesting that either in short-term route choice or longer-term vehicle choice, the presence of chargers encourages electric vehicles. Full article
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27 pages, 470 KiB  
Article
Cost Minimization for Charging Electric Bus Fleets
by Daniel Mortensen, Jacob Gunther, Greg Droge and Justin Whitaker
World Electr. Veh. J. 2023, 14(12), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj14120351 - 16 Dec 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1604
Abstract
Recent attention for reduced carbon emissions has pushed transit authorities to adopt battery electric buses (BEBs). One challenge experienced by BEB users is extended charge times, which create logistical challenges and may force BEBs to charge when energy is more expensive. Furthermore, BEB [...] Read more.
Recent attention for reduced carbon emissions has pushed transit authorities to adopt battery electric buses (BEBs). One challenge experienced by BEB users is extended charge times, which create logistical challenges and may force BEBs to charge when energy is more expensive. Furthermore, BEB charging leads to high power demands, which can significantly increase monthly power costs and may push the electrical infrastructure beyond its present capacity, requiring expensive upgrades. This work presents a novel method for minimizing the monthly cost of BEB charging while meeting bus route constraints. This method extends previous work by incorporating a more novel cost model, effects from uncontrolled loads, differences between daytime and overnight charging, and variable rate charging. A graph-based network-flow framework, represented by a mixed-integer linear program, encodes the charging action space, physical bus constraints, and battery state of the charge dynamics. The results for three scenarios are considered: uncontested charging, which uses equal numbers of buses and chargers; contested charging, which has more buses than chargers; and variable charge rates. Among other findings, we show that BEBs can be added to the fleet without raising the peak power demand for only the cost of the energy, suggesting that conversion to electrified transit is possible without upgrading power delivery infrastructure. Full article
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18 pages, 2764 KiB  
Article
Peak Shaving for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure—A Case Study in a Parking Garage in Uppsala, Sweden
by Alexander Wallberg, Carl Flygare, Rafael Waters and Valeria Castellucci
World Electr. Veh. J. 2022, 13(8), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj13080152 - 12 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2918
Abstract
The need for a more flexible usage of power is increasing due to the electrification of new sectors in society combined with larger amounts of integrated intermittent electricity production in the power system. Among other cities, Uppsala in Sweden is undergoing an accelerated [...] Read more.
The need for a more flexible usage of power is increasing due to the electrification of new sectors in society combined with larger amounts of integrated intermittent electricity production in the power system. Among other cities, Uppsala in Sweden is undergoing an accelerated transition of its vehicle fleet from fossil combustion engines to electrical vehicles. To meet the requirements of the transforming mobility infrastructure, Uppsala municipality has, in collaboration with Uppsala University, built a full-scale commercial electrical vehicle parking garage equipped with a battery storage and photovoltaic system. This paper presents the current hardware topology of the parking garage, a neural network for day-ahead predictions of the parking garage’s load profile, and a simulation model in MATLAB using rule-based peak shaving control. The created neural network was trained on data from 2021 and its performance was evaluated using data from 2022. The performance of the rule-based peak shaving control was evaluated using the predicted load demand and photovoltaic data collected for the parking garage. The aim of this paper is to test a prediction model and peak shaving strategy that could be implemented in practice on-site at the parking garage. The created neural network has a linear regression index of 0.61, which proved to yield a satisfying result when used in the rule-based peak shaving control with the parking garage’s 60 kW/137 kWh battery system. The peak shaving model was able to reduce the highest load demand peak of 117 kW by 38.6% using the forecast of a neural network. Full article
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Review

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30 pages, 4391 KiB  
Review
Artificial Intelligence-Based Electric Vehicle Smart Charging System in Malaysia
by Siow Jat Shern, Md Tanjil Sarker, Gobbi Ramasamy, Siva Priya Thiagarajah, Fahmid Al Farid and S. T. Suganthi
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(10), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15100440 - 28 Sep 2024
Abstract
The worldwide transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, propelled by the imperative to reduce carbon emissions and foster sustainable transportation. In Malaysia, the government is facilitating this transformation through targeted initiatives aimed at promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and [...] Read more.
The worldwide transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, propelled by the imperative to reduce carbon emissions and foster sustainable transportation. In Malaysia, the government is facilitating this transformation through targeted initiatives aimed at promoting the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and developing the required infrastructure. This paper investigates the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing intelligent electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, specifically focusing on the context of Malaysia. The paper examines the current electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Malaysia, highlights advancements led by artificial intelligence (AI), and references both local and international case studies. Fluctuations in the Total Industry Volume (TIV) and Total Industry Production (TIP) reflect changes in market demand and production capabilities, with notable peaks in March 2023 and March 2024. The research reveals that AI technologies, such as machine learning and predictive analytics, can enhance charging efficiency, improve user experience, and support grid stability. A mathematical model for an AI-based smart charging system was developed, and the implemented system achieved 30% energy savings and a 20.38% reduction in costs compared to traditional methods. These findings underscore the system’s energy and cost efficiency. In addition, we outline the potential advantages and challenges associated with incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Furthermore, we offer recommendations for researchers, industry stakeholders, and regulators. Malaysia can enhance the uptake of electric vehicles and make a positive impact on the environment by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its electric vehicle charging system (EVCS). Full article
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25 pages, 2538 KiB  
Review
Related Work and Motivation for Electric Vehicle Solar/Wind Charging Stations: A Review
by Radwan A. Almasri, Talal Alharbi, M. S. Alshitawi, Omar Alrumayh and Salman Ajib
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(5), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15050215 - 13 May 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1660
Abstract
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging [...] Read more.
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging infrastructure. This review explores the existing research on the subject of photovoltaic-powered electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs). Our analysis highlights the potential for economic growth and the creation of robust and decentralized energy systems by increasing the number of EVCSs. This review summarizes the current knowledge in this field and highlights the key factors driving efforts to expand the use of PV-powered EVCSs. The findings indicate that MATLAB was predominantly used for theoretical studies, with projects focusing on shading parking lots. The energy usage varied from 0.139 to 0.295 kWh/km, while the cost of energy ranged from USD 0.0032 to 0.5645 per kWh for an on-grid system. The payback period (PBP) values are suitable for this application. The average PBP was demonstrated to range from 1 to 15 years. The findings from this assessment can guide policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in shaping future advancements toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system. Full article
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28 pages, 3780 KiB  
Review
A Review of Capacity Allocation and Control Strategies for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations with Integrated Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems
by Ming Yao, Danning Da, Xinchun Lu and Yuhang Wang
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(3), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15030101 - 6 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2588
Abstract
Electric vehicles (EVs) play a major role in the energy system because they are clean and environmentally friendly and can use excess electricity from renewable sources. In order to meet the growing charging demand for EVs and overcome its negative impact on the [...] Read more.
Electric vehicles (EVs) play a major role in the energy system because they are clean and environmentally friendly and can use excess electricity from renewable sources. In order to meet the growing charging demand for EVs and overcome its negative impact on the power grid, new EV charging stations integrating photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage systems (ESSs) have emerged. However, the output of solar PV systems and the charging demand of EVs are both characterized by uncertainty and dynamics. These may lead to large power fluctuations in the grid and frequent alternation of peak and valley loads, which are not conducive to the stability of the distribution network. The study of reasonable capacity configuration and control strategy issues is conducive to the efficient use of solar energy, fast charging of EVs, stability of the distribution network, and maximization of the economic benefits of the system. In this paper, the concept, advantages, capacity allocation methods and algorithms, and control strategies of the integrated EV charging station with PV and ESSs are reviewed. On the basis of the above research, the current problems and challenges are analyzed, and corresponding solutions and ideas are proposed. Full article
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30 pages, 2197 KiB  
Review
Sustainable E-Fuels: Green Hydrogen, Methanol and Ammonia for Carbon-Neutral Transportation
by Vennapusa Jagadeeswara Reddy, N. P. Hariram, Rittick Maity, Mohd Fairusham Ghazali and Sudhakar Kumarasamy
World Electr. Veh. J. 2023, 14(12), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj14120349 - 14 Dec 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7684
Abstract
Increasingly stringent sustainability and decarbonization objectives drive investments in adopting environmentally friendly, low, and zero-carbon fuels. This study presents a comparative framework of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol production and application in a clear context. By harnessing publicly available data sources, [...] Read more.
Increasingly stringent sustainability and decarbonization objectives drive investments in adopting environmentally friendly, low, and zero-carbon fuels. This study presents a comparative framework of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol production and application in a clear context. By harnessing publicly available data sources, including from the literature, this research delves into the evaluation of green fuels. Building on these insights, this study outlines the production process, application, and strategic pathways to transition into a greener economy by 2050. This envisioned transformation unfolds in three progressive steps: the utilization of green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol as a sustainable fuel source for transport applications; the integration of these green fuels in industries; and the establishment of mechanisms for achieving the net zero. However, this research also reveals the formidable challenges of producing green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol. These challenges encompass technological intricacies, economic barriers, societal considerations, and far-reaching policy implications necessitating collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to successfully develop and deploy green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol. The findings unequivocally demonstrate that renewable energy sources play a pivotal role in enabling the production of these green fuels, positioning the global transition in the landscape of sustainable energy. Full article
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