Adoption and integration of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles into electric power systems

 

Fig. 3: Estimation made under CDMC support of how life-cycle GHGs from plug-in hybrids change with different electricity fuels. Source: Samaras and Meisterling.

Fig. 3: Estimation made under CDMC support of how life-cycle GHGs from plug-in hybrids change with different electricity fuels. Source: Samaras and Meisterling.

The problem:
The electrification of passenger transportation is a promising pathway to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum, and potentially to integrate large-scale variable renewable energy sources. Different battery, vehicle, and infrastructure pathways, introduce considerable uncertainty regarding environmental and economic outcomes of such a transition. Consumer vehicle preferences are formed without access to reliable information and decision making processes, which affect how manufacturers design alternative vehicles. Decision makers involved in a transition to electrified transportation need to make long-lived policy, capital and infrastructure decisions in the face of these uncertainties.

Because electrified transportation couples the historically separate electricity and transportation sectors, stakeholders include consumers, automotive companies, utilities, battery manufacturers, state and local government agencies, and several others. Our research will inform decision makers on how to maximize GHG emissions abatement and plan for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle integration, while minimizing costs and regional emissions.

The research:
With support from the new Center, Constantine Samaras and colleagues will:

  1. construct consumer choice models to examine consumer acceptance and perceived risk of advanced vehicles;
  2. identify regional electricity system and public charging critical infrastructure investments for levels of vehicle adoption and vehicle-to-grid operations;
  3. examine battery degradation under uncertain driving conditions, temperature, and terrain to recommend appropriate sizing and characteristics;
  4. examine and recommend options to fund transportation infrastructure with anticipated reduced gasoline tax receipts; and
  5. utilize life-cycle assessment to assist decisions with electricity and transportation fuels as well as large-scale automotive battery recycling and disposal.

The decision makers:
A123, AEP, BPA, EPRI, IRGC, NRDC, PA PUC, PJM, Sustainable Pittsburgh (SustPgh), Toyota, Westinghouse.