Analysis of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle penetration into energy systems predominantly based on lignite

TL;DR

This study models Macedonia's lignite-based energy system and demonstrates that electric vehicles with V2G technology can enable fully renewable energy integration and significantly reduce air pollution by 2050.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed energy system model incorporating V2G for a lignite-dependent country, showing potential for renewable integration and pollution reduction.

Findings

Electric vehicles can provide essential storage for renewable energy.

A 47% reduction in air pollutants is achievable by 2050.

V2G technology enables a fully renewable energy profile.

Abstract

We consider an integration of renewable energy into transport and electricity sectors through vehicle to grid (V2G) technologies for an energy system that is predominantly based on lignite. The national energy system of Macedonia is modeled using EnergyPLAN which integrates energy for electricity, transport and heat, and includes hourly fluctuations in human needs and the environment. We show that electric-vehicles can provide the necessary storage enabling a fully renewable energy profile for Macedonia that can match the country's growing demand for energy. Furthermore, a large penetration of electric vehicles leads to a dramatic reduction of 47% of small particles and other air pollutants generated by car traffic in 2050.