Study examines EV infrastructure in Alberta

PHEV smart charging in Alberta aligns plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with wind power peaks, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Grid-aware scheduling considers battery size, charging time, and clean energy availability to optimize emissions and renewable utilization.

“Smart” charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs) in Alberta could make the most of the province’s wind resources for electricity generation, according to a new study by the University of Calgary.

Electrical engineers at the Schulich School of Engineering found that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) could release 40 to 90 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional passenger vehicles, as plug-in hybrids gain momentum today, but the environmental impacts in the province would depend on factors such as vehicle battery size, charging time and wind production levels.

Infrastructure with “smart” charging systems would include technology with communication links to allow system operators to distribute electricity to vehicles when wind power production is at its highest, usually at night, through off-peak charging programs that shift demand. Optimal use of clean energy is especially important in Alberta, which has the highest amount of thermally generated power in Canada, and where electric vehicles in southern Alberta are attracting significant interest today. More than 90 per cent of Alberta’s electricity is produced by methods that emit greenhouse gases, including burning coal, oil or natural gas.

“The whole idea is to consume the wind power in the system as much as possible,” said Professor Mahdi Hajian, a co-author of the study. “Unfortunately, the wind is unreliable because it’s not always blowing when we need it. Smart charging systems would help us harness the wind so we can store it in the vehicles’ batteries for later use.”

The results of the study are specific to Alberta, but the researchers said the conclusions can be applied elsewhere to give the green light to electric cars in comparable regions. Other provinces should also have smart charging systems, and the case for EVs in carbon-heavy Canada remains strong, but the need would depend on electrical load patterns and the availability of clean energy sources such as hydro.

Related News

• Electricity Forum News

• EV Infrastructure News