Innocent Kamwa, Julia Matevosyan
The residential energy landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. In 2022, a record 700,000 U.S. homeowners installed solar, while nearly one in 10 cars purchased in the United States was an electrical vehicle (EV) (Figure 1). In California, recent legislative reform incentivized the installation of home battery storage systems for load shifting, while Senate bill SB 233 requires that all EVs are capable of bidirectional charging. The bill was also designed to reverse a troubling trend: In recent years, Californians have increasingly responded to power outages and rolling blackouts by purchasing diesel-propelled backup generators. In contrast, some EV batteries now have the ability to power a home for up to three days and so are considered a “green” alternative to diesel generators. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order No. 2222 has also increased the competitiveness of distributed energy resources (DERs) by enabling them to participate in regional wholesale markets through aggregations. Indeed, commercial equipment combining bidirectional EV charging and solar energy conversion that fully integrates with home battery storage can be leveraged as DERs. This can significantly improve grid reliability, while deferring costly infrastructure upgrades and enhancing decentralized resiliency by powering homes during blackouts.
An important aspect of EV charging is that it usually takes place in the evening and overnight. While low-voltage recharge induces only moderate energy consumption, shifted in these time ranges and additional to the historical load, fast-charging stations increase power requirement to nearly 6 kW, and even up to 20 kW for the fastest and most powerful charging stations. This power draw is equivalent to doubling the load of a typical Québec home in winter for a full hour when returning home. The anticipated generalization of such equipment will require reinforcement investments not originally planned for at the distribution level. To overcome such adverse effects in some jurisdictions, contracts are offered that allow for the charging of the vehicle to be interrupted or postponed in exchange for a discount on the overall electricity bill. The use of EV batteries by network operators remains a persistent and desired goal, but the reality is that it could be a long time before this becomes a reality, as it is difficult to convince a customer that, in exchange for a discount, he will not be able to use his vehicle as he would like, such as in the case of an emergency. Adding to an already difficult sale are barriers that are installed on the battery to block its remote charging control and bidirectional operation by EV manufacturers looking to keep a tight control of their product, in order to enforce better guarantees or simply for achieving market dominance (Figure 2).
Nevertheless, the issue of EV penetration is underestimated within the utility industry. Individually, a single electric car represents little change, but in large numbers, the game changes quickly. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Global EV Outlook 2021, the average electricity consumption per EV in 2020 was about 2,000 kWh. However, this value may vary depending on the specific conditions of each EV and country: for example, in Québec province (Canada), where there are about 4.8 million vehicles on the road and the winter is harsh. If we consider an average trip per day of 45 km and an average consumption of 6 km/kW (source: https://www.aveq.ca/), this represents a daily 7 kWh of electric energy or 2,520 kWh over one year. Hence, 10% EV penetration will result in 1 TWh of additional electric demand. In real life, however, users will primarily connect their electric cars either in the evening when returning home at the same time as the evening peak, or in the morning when arriving at the office (if a charging network is available), just after the morning peak, thus allowing the charge to last longer. Each block of 100,000 EVs will increase the evening peak demand by 180 MW and the morning peak demand by 20 MW during the winter. In the summer, the morning overconsumption will be negligible (Figure 3).
The penetration of EVs in the near future will cause significant stress on the transmission and distribution network. Elon Musk recently claimed that we will need to increase the electric energy supply threefold. In this context, the usual mitigation strategies of the peak demand will become increasingly insufficient. Further, we can anticipate that the adoption of electric cars will first take place in geographical areas of higher incomes. This will induce a change in the consumption profile of certain neighborhoods, with extreme local peaks taking place as soon as the cars in the area are connected. Finally, these massive connections of EVs could affect the stability of the distribution network during the resumption of charging after an event. In this case, the cars will charge at the same time and stress the equipment or even compromise the recharging after incident. Studies of the possible location of these consumption pockets will need to be conducted quickly by utilities to anticipate the necessary changes in the topography of the distribution network. Another concern to address is certifying EV charging stations to enable their remote control by the system operator, in order to mitigate the downsides of uncoordinated charging.
While there is a universal agreement about the necessity of EV transition for enabling a sustainable human world, there is more debate about when this transition will happen, given the dominance of fossil-propelled vehicles in the foreseeable future (Figure 4). Some manufacturers like Volvo boldly proclaim that EVs will reach price parity with internal-combustion engine vehicles by 2025; this is unlikely, according to business and technology leaders Mercedes-Benz and Renault Group. On its part, the IEA predicts that EVs will make up more than 60% of vehicles sold globally by 2030. According to mineral markets experts, given the sheer tonnage of lithium, cobalt, and other raw materials needed for EV batteries, this figure is unrealistic, as it would require that nearly 300 new mines and supporting refineries open by then. Finally, while intuitively it is better to charge EVs at night to not only save money but also to protect the power grid from early aging, researchers at Stanford University stated that charging EVs during the day is actually cheaper, better for the grid, and healthier for the environment. This is a really counterintuitive argument.
In the face of what seems contradictory, the goal of the present special issue of the magazine is to help our reader find the “truth,” based on evidence collected throughout the world by utilities, researchers, and academicians who are invested in actual EV transition projects. The seven articles contained within this issue report experiences on pilot EV deployment and testing projects, standards development initiatives, grid planning experiences for EV hosting, regulatory issues, and findings in consumer empowerment through enabling vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and grid-to-vehicle functionalities. As usual in this magazine, the authors are from all industry sectors and related experiences come from different corners of the world: Costa Rica, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, South Korea, and the United States. Another article that was not initially invited is the result of a joint work, between the United States and Italy, on wireless charging devices and standards [A1]. We decided to publish it in this issue because of its nice fit with the issue’s theme. Finally, the article by Balducci et al. [A2], from the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois, on pump-storage economics is a bit out-scope. Yet, one may still argue that since the relationship between EVs and the power grid is driven mostly by the EV’s battery storage, a possible message of this featured issue is to raise the public awareness of both distributed and large-scale storage as important sustainability enablers for not only today but also future power grids.
This issue is dedicated to EVs and related demands on the power grid infrastructure. We cannot help but notice that EVs are rapidly becoming a part of our everyday lives. Over the past few decades, advancements in battery technology, power electronics, and electric drivetrains have revolutionized the automotive industry. To enable a timely and smooth transition from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to this more sustainable alternative, we need much more than just rapid progress in automotive technology. The integration of EVs into the power grid requires substantial upgrading and modernization of the grid infrastructure, specifically on the distribution side, to support vehicle charging loads. These changes need to be fast, cost-effective, and future-proofed, to avoid stranded assets and to accommodate future technological advancements. Additionally, the electricity demand from EVs is heavily influenced by human behavior, which calls for comprehensive data analysis and innovative solutions in grid planning and operations practices. On the other hand, EVs can also act as DERs, providing services to the grid. Smart charging systems and V2G technology are emerging in order to optimize the interaction between EVs and the grid, enabling better utilization of renewable energy sources and enhancing overall grid efficiency.
Our guest editor in this issue is Wayne Bishop Jr., the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) vice president of Meetings and Conferences. Wayne is offering us his farewell message, at the end of a five-year term in this position [A3]. I first met Wayne during the preparatory meetings ahead of the IEEE PES General Meeting (GM) 2020 in Montreal, Canada, a conference for which I was the vice chair of the Local Organizing Committee. Since then, I have been able to witness how his commitment to our PES conferences and the countless hours he has spent contributing his skills and time have made a tremendous impact on IEEE PES, notably through setting up new conferences, emboldening industry relations, and growing attendance despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The achievements briefly spelled out in his column speak for themselves. On behalf of the IEEE PES community, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to Wayne for his selfless dedication and hard work as a volunteer in the difficult position of IEEE PES vice president of Meetings and Conferences from 2019 to 2023.
The July/August issue on “customer empowerment” generated a lot of buzz in the power and energy community. In addition to word-of-mouth feedback, LinkedIn likes, and IEEE Xplore downloads, we have received e-mails and letters showing that the issue was being read by experts around the world. In this issue you will find one of the letters received, authored by Duncan Wilson [A4], an IEEE Life Member from the United Kingdom. Unsurprisingly, the letter is a thoughtful commentary on Steve Thomas’ article on the retail market deregulation that allowed U.K. domestic customers and small businesses electricity consumers to choose their supplier in the early 2000s. Good, bad, or indifferent, publishing a letter to the editor gives voice to the people this magazine serves. We look forward to sharing more of these in future issues.
According to IEEE publication policies, we recently implemented rotations of the Editorial Board membership under the direction of the Nominations Committee, chaired by MacKay Miller, to whom I extend my sincere appreciation.
In this issue, I wish to express appreciation for the hard work done by our outgoing board members:
And to also welcome our new Editorial Board members:
IEEE is committed to diversity and equity in the technical profession. With the new additions, we brought the gender representation close to parity (i.e., 52%–48%). We also tapped into industry from North America and China to enrich the board with both business and technical leadership skills. The new board members are a testimony to the IEEE Power & Energy Magazine management commitment to diversity, inclusion, and regional representation, while continuing the efforts initiated by my predecessors.
In This Issue
This issue provides readers with a comprehensive outlook on the global EV landscape, with articles from Norway, Korea, New Zealand, the United States, Scotland, and Costa Rica. What adds an interesting dimension to this issue is the diverse range of perspectives it encompasses. While all of the articles delve into the present state and prospects of EV integration in their respective countries, each then brings a unique focal point to the table, contributing to the diversity of issues surrounding EV adoption:
• The article from Norway [A5] provides insights into smart charging solutions and the development of high-power charging infrastructure. It also discusses the necessary progress in planning and operations, to meet the growing demands for EVs in a cost-effective and flexible manner.
• The article from Korea [A6] dives into time-of-use tariffs and demand response programs introduced to improve user experience and utilize solar power production more efficiently. V2G opportunities are also being explored, while Korea is preparing for further rapid growth of EV charging infrastructure in the future.
• The article from New Zealand [A7] focuses on the EV smart charging trial that was carried out to understand customer behavior and establish data-driven EV charging requirements for the network planning processes.
• Notably, two articles from the United States [A8], [A9] cover somewhat different topics. The article from Portland General Electric [A8] presents an innovative EV charging management approach that reduces the need for infrastructure upgrades, while delivering additional benefits for grid reliability, resiliency, affordability, and a better customer experience.
• The article from Scotland [A10] presents the methodology developed to deploy a number of charging points across western Scotland. The data underpinning the analysis are publicly accessible, making the process transparent to not only the decision makers, but also the wider public.
• The article from Cost Rica [A11] presents the process of creating the integrated energy system model and the development of scenarios for the National Decarbonization Plan for the transport and energy sectors.
Finally, the “In My View” [A12] column by Andy Keane (Ireland) provides an excellent wrap-up, summarizing the challenges raised in the articles of this issue. The column highlights the importance of charging infrastructure, the need for demand flexibility, and the crucial role that open data play in the cost-effective planning of necessary grid infrastructure, to enable broader EV adoption.
—Julia Matevosyan
I am sad to announce that our assistant editor, the indispensable Sherry Hensely, has recently left her position due to illness. I wish to express my gratitude to Sherry for an outstanding job during her tenure. I wish her all the best, and more importantly, good health. We are currently recruiting a replacement for Sherry and the new hire will soon be announced by PES, after the contract is signed.
Regarding the implementation of ScholarOne: At the time of this writing, in mid-august 2023, we are closer and closer to commissioning, but due to unforeseen difficulties in adapting the workflow used for PES transactions to the IEEE Power and Energy Magazine process, we are not quite there yet. The two types of publications work very differently and it is not easy to integrate. We will keep you posted as soon as the pending workflow issues are resolved.
The last Editorial Board meeting was held on 19 July 2023 during the PES GM in Orlando, FL. The meeting was very fruitful, as one revised and five new proposals were formally presented. I want to thank all of the participants who attended, either remotely or in person, for their contributions to refining and refocusing these proposals, making them more appealing to our readers. The pipeline of subjects for the magazine is now healthy.
Finally, the magazine team want to recognize all the recipients of the IEEE PES awards of 2023: https://ieee-pes.org/news/just-announced-2023-ieee-power-energy-society-award-recipients/. Although they were formally celebrated with their family on 18 July 2023 at the award dinner held in conjunction with the PES GM, we want to add our voice to the ton of applause they already received. We sincerely congratulate them for their successful careers and commitment to our industry.
As usual, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to Guest Editors Nando Ochoa, Mackay Miller, and Jairo Quirós-Tortós for their invaluable support and collaboration over the past 10 months of intense work; indeed, it took this long to go through all of the steps of revising, editing, and producing the present issue. Thank you for being a shining example of the power of volunteering and for making a difference in our community.
I conclude my introduction to this issue by stressing, once again, that despite the strong lineup of topics scheduled on the magazine website, we are always seeking new and innovative topics of interest for our broad audience. You, as a reader or stakeholder in the power and energy sector, have the right to submit an unsolicited paper, which may or may not be aligned with the future topics posted on the magazine website. Please feel free to do so, using the appropriate manuscript template, if you believe that your contribution fits the scope of the magazine. Here is the magazine e-mail address: powerandenergymagazine@gmail.com.
“Global EV data explorer,” IEA, Paris, France, 2023. Accessed: Jul. 28, 2023. [Online] . Available: https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/global-ev-data-explorer
“Download ‘The EV transition explained’ E-book for free,” IEEE Spectr., Mar. 2023. Accessed: Jul. 28, 2023. [Online] . Available: https://spectrum.ieee.org/ev-transition-explained-ebook
R. N. Charette, “Can power grids cope with millions of EVs?” IEEE Spectr., Nov. 2022. [Online] . Available: https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-ev-transition-explained-2658463709
Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, USA. Accessed: Jul. 28, 2023. [Online] . Available: https://www.anl.gov/esia/light-duty-electric-drive-vehicles-monthly-sales-updates
“Executive summary – Global EV outlook 2022 – Analysis,” IEA, Paris, France, 2022. Accessed: Jul. 28, 2023. [Online] . Available: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2022/executive-summary
“‘A tripling of electrical output’: Tesla’s Musk urges power sector to anticipate higher demand,” Utility Dive, Jul. 2023. Accessed: Jul. 28, 2023. [Online] . Available: https://www.utilitydive.com/news/elon-musk-power-demand-growth-pge/688979/
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MPE.2023.3308242
Date of current version: 19 October 2023
1540-7977/23©2023IEEE