Sustainable Electric Vehicle charging scheme: User requirements in designing energy trading algorithm

Abstract

Promoting Electrical Vehicles (EVs) as a cleaner alternative to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles is an important step towards transformation to a sustainable world. However, usage of grid electricity in charging EVs hinders achieving zero carbon emissions, hence, necessitates developing a renewable energy-based model for EV charging. On the other hand, encouraging renewable energy (RE) usage contributes to United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development. An energy trading algorithm which facilitates trading excess renewable energy generation of households to charge EVs is a key component in such renewable energy-based EV charging model. However, to design an algorithm beneficial for both stakeholders, i.e., EV users and households with solar power systems, user requirements of both stakeholders should be taken into consideration. This paper investigates the user requirements and specifications for an improved energy trading algorithm from both stakeholders’ point of view. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 EV users and 16 household solar users in the United Kingdom (UK) to explore the above. According to the findings of the interviews, both participant categories highlight renewable energy utilisation as a key requirement, whereas EV users highlight non- financial user- experience related requirements such as improving convenience and selection of preferred charging speed and household solar panel users highlight trading with less time and effort as their requirements. Additionally, households also expect higher returns to cover capital costs of solar panel installations. These findings can be used by practitioners from the industry in developing effective energy trading solutions for end users.