Evaluating Utility Costs Savings for EV Charging Infrastructure

This analysis was conducted under the first round of the Solar Energy Innovation Network (SEIN), a program led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that assembles diverse teams of stakeholders to research solutions to real-world challenges associated with solar energy adoption. As part of the Solar Energy Innovation Network, NREL used a tool called REopt to evaluate the impact on utility costs of light duty electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Minnesota. The analysis models EV chargers at medium offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Specifically, the analysis explores three questions: (a) How can photovoltaics (PV) and stationary storage be co-deployed with EV charging infrastructure to lower the cost of purchasing grid electricity? (b) What are the potential savings of co-locating EV charging infrastructure with (behind the meter of) a commercial building? and (c) What savings can be gained from optimizing the times at which the EVs are charged to decrease lifecycle costs? Note that this presentation is not indented to be presented widely, but is just to provide ReOpt outputs for the partner's use.