Vishal Ingle I MEL CEEN 2023 I Dec 14 @2.30-3:00pm I UBC Robson Square Room C-300 I Mentor: George Thomson (FortisBC).
ABSTRACT:
The growing prevalence of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in British Columbia necessitates a strategic transition toward off-peak charging, in line with revised targets aiming for 26% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2026, 90% by 2030, and complete zero-emission sales by 2035. Given that home charging constitutes over 80% of EV charging activity, this study concentrates on strategies to encourage off-peak residential EV charging.
It delves into methodologies implemented by utilities spanning diverse regions such as BC Hydro, Fortis Alberta, Hydro One, Green Mountain Power (GMP), and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Through utility reports, specific programs, research papers, and structured interviews with industry experts, this research aims to evaluate and identify effective approaches to promote off-peak EV charging. A comprehensive assessment utilizing a weighted scoring model across ten parameters suggests that appropriately implemented Time-of-Use (TOU) rates display considerable potential in mitigating peak demand, closely followed by utility-controlled Demand Response programs, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and Vehicle to Everything (V2X) technologies in residential EV charging contexts. As these four strategies are implemented by many utilities, making informed decisions on where and how to apply these strategies is crucial in optimizing their effectiveness and addressing the challenge of peak demand reduction.