System design for a solar powered electric vehicle charging station for workplaces. (15th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chandra Mouli, G.R.; Bauer, P.; Zeman, M.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 168(2016)
• Page Start: 434
• Page End: 443
• Publication Date: 2016-04-15
• Subjects: Batteries -- Electric vehicles -- Energy storage -- Photovoltaic systems -- Solar energy; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.01.110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: 10 kW solar powered EV charger with V2G for workplaces in Netherlands is analyzed. Optimal tilt for PV panels to get maximum yield in Netherlands is 28°. PV array can be 30% oversized than converter, resulting in only 3.2% energy loss. Gaussian EV charging profile with low peak closely follows PV generation. 10 kW h local storage reduced grid energy exchange by 25%. Abstract: This paper investigates the possibility of charging battery electric vehicles at workplace in Netherlands using solar energy. Data from the Dutch Meteorological Institute is used to determine the optimal orientation of PV panels for maximum energy yield in the Netherlands. The seasonal and diurnal variation in solar insolation is analyzed to determine the energy availability for EV charging and the necessity for grid connection. Due to relatively low solar insolation in Netherlands, it has been determined that the power rating of the PV array can be oversized by 30% with respect to power rating of the converter. Various dynamic EV charging profiles are compared with an aim to minimize the grid dependency and to maximize the usage of solar power to directly charge the EV. Two scenarios are considered – one where the EVs have to be charged only on weekdays and the second case where EV have to be charged all 7 days/week. A priority mechanism is proposed to facilitate the charging of multiple EV from a single EV–PV charger. The feasibility of integrating a local storage to the EV–PV charger to make it grid independent is evaluated. The optimal storage size that reduces the grid dependency by 25% is evaluated.