ELECTRIC TRANSPORT
SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY: WHERE EVs MEET BATTERY STORAGE
Electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise in the UK and beyond. While
this transition is necessary for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, questions remain around how EVs can be powered using clean energy. After all, a surge in EV charging which sees grid operators resort to burning fossil fuels to meet demand would be counterproductive to Net Zero goals. Dave Roberts, UK MD at energy storage specialist GivEnergy, explains how battery storage – at grid scale and at home – can help power sustainable mobility
How do we meet the growing demand for EV charging sustainably?
journeys. However, some services are in locations where electricity supply from the grid is not enough to support high-powered charging of 50kW and over. In early 2023, National Highways
announced an £8 million contract for energy storage systems to help offset this problem. The grid scale batteries are now installed at seven motorway service stations where fast charging would otherwise not be possible due to grid constraints. Each grid scale battery system
includes 2MWh of storage capacity, enough to support
T
he Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has cut sales forecasts for new cars
in the UK in 2024 from 1.98 to 1.97 million, a drop largely down to lower demand for new EVs. However, the projected compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of the EV market in the UK is set to be 8.62% between 2024-2028. This growth comes as sales of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are set to be banned in the UK from 2035 onwards. In short, the total number of EVs on the road is set to keep growing, despite expected slowdown in new EV sales in 2024. However, more EVs means more EV charging.
Along with heat pumps, EVs could cause annual consumer electricity demand to rise by 50% by 2035, according to a report co-authored by the Centre for Net Zero (CNZ). So, how do we meet this growing demand for EV charging sustainably? If a surge in EV charging causes strain on the grid, operators could be forced to burn carbon-emitting fossil fuels to meet demand. Let’s look at how battery storage can help meet that demand with clean power.
GRID SCALE BATTERY STORAGE Fast chargers at motorway services are a key component of EV charging infrastructure, helping to meet charging demand for those making long
over two million miles of EV motoring each year. The batteries charge overnight from the grid during hours when electricity demand is low. When demand for charging is high, the batteries can be discharged. This cycle helps to avoid additional strain on the grid which, in turn, means offsetting the risk of grid operators resorting to fossil fuels to meet demand. Unfortunately, the overall picture of fast charging
on motorways is somewhat disappointing. Research by the RAC shows that at the end of 2023, just 46 (39%) out of 119 motorway services had the target number of chargers above 50kW. Grid level battery storage solutions are here.
It’s now time to roll them out and support sustainable fast charging.
THE POTENTIAL OF HOME BATTERY STORAGE Home battery storage systems are on the rise. In the UK, 2023 was a ‘record-breaking year’ for installations, according to the Microgeneration Certification Service (MCS). For the most part, home batteries store energy
generated from the UK’s more than half a million home solar installations. This combination of solar and battery storage has the potential to reduce strain on the grid and facilitate sustainable EV charging.
8ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2024 Think of this hypothetical example. A household
generates solar energy which is then stored in a home battery. The same household also has an EV which needs charging. Instead of charging directly from the grid, the household can charge directly from solar or from the clean energy stored in their battery. A year-long case study from a household in
Denmark shows how this is possible. The study found that charging a 62kWh Nissan Leaf when there was excess solar energy increased self- consumption (non-reliance on the grid) from 29-54%. Charging from an 8kWh battery storage system yielded similar results. Home battery storage and home solar work best
with smart EV chargers. Smart charging functions include in-built algorithms to facilitate charging when clean energy is in abundance. A survey published in April 2022 by the UK government suggests a mixed picture when it comes to smart charging. Around 93% of EV users surveyed reported having access to charging at home. Meanwhile, 52% said they had a smart EV charger. Three-quarters of those with a smart charger said they used the smart functions always or most of the time. Meanwhile, only 13% of those with a smart charger said they rarely or never used the smart functions.
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY The rise of EVs represents a key step towards Net Zero carbon emissions. However, this rise also presents a challenge when it comes to charging. Failure to facilitate sustainable charging could lead to strain on the grid which, in turn, could result in grid operators burning fossil fuels to meet demand. Such an outcome would be counterproductive to Net Zero goals. Grid scale battery storage and home battery storage both have a role to play in facilitating sustainable EV charging. In future, we could even see a role for
bidirectional EV charging, i.e. EVs acting as ‘batteries on wheels’, using excess energy to power the grid, homes, and more. However, that’s perhaps a topic for another time.
GivEnergy
https://givenergy.co.uk/
www.essmag.co.uk
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