Electric Vehicles as Energy Storage: V2G Capacity Estimation*

The increase in energy consumption and the CO2 emissions of fuel-based generating sources have raised the interest in renewable energy sources (RESs). However, the inherent intermittency in the renewable power generation hinders its widespread deployment. Electric vehicles (EVs) are an important component of future transportation system and are crucial for reducing global CO2 emissions and curtailing overall energy demand. Aggregating the EVs available as smart energy storage (SES) and utilizing it for leveling the intermittent outputs of RESs is an ideal and viable prospect. The vehicle to grid (V2G) capacity, i.e., the energy/power that the EVs can supply varies over time and depends on the availability of the EVs and their individual state of charge (SOC). Hence a real-time V2G capacity estimation is important for utilizing the EVs as SES efficiently. In this chapter, a method for utilizing the EVs as SES with the aid of a real-time V2G capacity estimation algorithm is discussed.