Solar energy contribution to an electric vehicle needs on the basis of long-term measurements

摘要

The European Commission has set the rules towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Considering that the transportation sector is a great GHG emitter, not only have pollution limits been set, but also the directives for the necessary infrastructure have been introduced. Namely, renewable energy sources (RES)-based electromobility is strongly promoted by EU countries so as to encounter the polluting internal combustion engines on the one hand, and the fueling of electric vehicles (EVs) with electricity generated from fossil fuels on the other. In this context, the current study provides useful insight with regards to RES-based electromobility, using real measurements from the operation of the innovative, solar-based EV charging station of the Soft Energy Applications and Environmental Protection Laboratory of the University of West Attica. The particular installment can operate both autonomously and connected to the local grid and is used both for research and the actual charging of EVs, with similar installations believed to pave the way -together with other novel elements- for the creation of smart grids and future smart cities. The results of the specific study derive from the adoption of specific distance scenarios (km per annum) concerning average drivers and normal driving patterns. The available vehicle is discharged under real-world driving conditions and afterwards charged under the same charging speed in order to assess the contribution of solar energy (photovoltaics (PVs)). To this end, it is proved that a solar carport of 3kW_p total capacity can support an EV covering more than 20000km within one year. The importance of the results lies in the fact that the energy consumption of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is estimated under real-world driving conditions, together with the respective PV or grid contribution necessary for charging the vehicle, while, in addition to that, sizing directions for a solar charging station used for the supply of a BEV's annual energy needs are provided.