Techno-feasibility (economic & environmental) analysis of EV charging using HRE sources in the work places

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining significant acceptance in the domestic market, primarily due to the continuous rise in fossil fuel prices. Conventional internal combustion (IC) engine vehicles are major contributors to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which adversely impact the atmospheric ecosystem. However, one of the major challenges associated with EV adoption is the limited availability of charging infrastructure. To address this issue, the present research investigates the feasibility of charging EVs using hybrid renewable energy (HRE) sources operating in a grid-connected mode. The study emphasizes the effective utilization of renewable resources for daytime EV charging; a detailed assessment of the renewable energy potential at the study site was carried out, and corresponding power-source models were developed by considering practical and real-time operating constraints. The optimization process focused on key economic indicators, including capital investment, replacement cost, and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost, with the objective of minimizing the cost of energy (COE), reducing the net present cost (NPC) of the HRE system, and lowering GHG emissions. The load-following (LF) algorithm was used to optimize the hybrid configuration, and the performance of the selected system is comprehensively discussed. The optimized HRE model comprising a biomass-based generator in combination with the grid achieved a minimum COE of Rs. 0.462 per kWh for EV charging. Based on the modeled system, it is estimated that approximately 80 EVs can be charged per day, including 40 two-wheelers and 40 four-wheelers. The unmet load of the optimized configuration was calculated as 0.05%.