Cost-effectiveness of integrating on-site Renewable Energy and Storage in High Power Charging stations for Electric Vehicles

The fast pace introduction of Electric Vehicles into the European markets has intensified the need for High Power Charging stations along highways to enable long-distance travelling as convenient as with an internal combustion engine car. To make sure that the system is cost-effective regarding the electrical grid connection and that it has the lowest environmental footprint, the integration of on-site renewable energy production and battery energy storage is studied. Two IONITY high-power charging stations in Spain and Sweden are analysed. The objective is to find a viable solution regarding the electrical supply, considering the grid tariffs and the solar and wind resources for each location. The simulations are performed using HOMER Energy software, which optimizes the system based on the Net Present Cost. Several cases are studied setting different grid size limits to determine the need for on-site battery storage in locations where the distribution grid does not have enough capacity. In Spain, a system with much solar PV will have a significantly lower cost than only connecting the chargers directly to the grid. In Sweden, solar PV or wind turbines have a similar cost than connecting only the chargers directly to the grid. Storage would be cost-effective if costs lower to 150 €/kWh or in cases with both a low demand for charging and low power grid connection. However, the grid connection needs to be oversized, so it meets the future demand, which all the tendencies show will be growing due to stricter emissions regulations and to government’s willingness Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant