Evaluating smart charging strategies using real-world data from optimized plugin electric vehicles

Management of electric vehicle (EV) charging is likely to be critical in avoiding large increases in peak electricity demand and subsequent build outs of generation and distribution infrastructure. Additionally, management of EV charging can help to more effectively utilize renewable energy resources. This study analyzed charging data from a real-world pilot program, the largest household-based study to date to analyze the effectiveness of different smart charging use cases at reducing charging costs and increasing utilization of renewable energy. The study included six different use cases that featured varying optimization signals and driver incentives. Study results suggest that the optimizations are effective at shifting load from times of high grid costs and congestion, most notably during early evening hours, to times of lower grid costs in the early morning and midday. The study finds that 15–20% of charge was shifted out of any given hour and 20–30% of charge was shifted into a given hour in the most effective use cases. In addition to shifting charging across time periods, charging events were also effectively shifted to different locations during some use cases, such as from overnight at households to during the day at workplaces.