The neglected social dimensions to a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) transition: a critical and systematic review

Abstract

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) refers to efforts to bi-directionally link the electric power system and the transportation system in ways that can improve the sustainability and security of both. A transition to V2G could enable vehicles to simultaneously improve the efficiency (and profitability) of electricity grids, reduce greenhouse gas emissions for transport, accommodate low-carbon sources of energy, and reap cost savings for owners, drivers, and other users. To understand the recent state of this field of research, here we conduct a systematic review of 197 peer-reviewed articles published on V2G from 2015 to early 2017. We find that the majority of V2G studies in that time period focus on technical aspects of V2G, notably renewable energy storage, batteries, or load balancing to minimize electricity costs, in some cases including environmental goals as constraints. A much lower proportion of studies focus on the importance of assessing environmental and climate attributes of a V2G transition, or on the role of consumer acceptance and knowledge of V2G systems. Further, there is need for exploratory work on natural resource use and externalities, discourses and narratives as well as social justice, gender, and urban resilience considerations. These research gaps need to be addressed if V2G is to achieve the societal transition its advocates seek.

A review of determinants for dairy farmer decision making on manure management strategies in high-income countries

“…This process is intended to identify and explore studies that may exist across different bodies of evidence and contain heterogeneous methodologies (Greenhalgh et al 2005). As Sovacool et al explain, 'a review becomes 'systematic' when it is based on a clearly formulated question or topic, identifies relevant studies, appraises their quality or relevance and then summarizes their evidence' (Sovacool et al 2018). For this reason, qualitative systematic reviews such as this one have been indicated for exploring issues in which multiple and/or competing factors may interact in complex causal relationships (Tranfield et al 2003).…”

The Impacts of High V2G Participation in a 100% Renewable Åland Energy System

“…These observations are also summarised in a review by Sovacool et al [6]. However, the authors point out that the social dimension of V2G is greatly overlooked in scientific studies.…”

“…Over the past two decades, there has been considerable research interest in the idea that electrified vehicles could offer benefits to both the transport and power sectors when a sector coupling is achieved [5,6]. In essence, the concept of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) involves the bidirectional flow of electricity between power grids and various forms of transport in a manner that is mutually beneficial.…”

“…In essence, the concept of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) involves the bidirectional flow of electricity between power grids and various forms of transport in a manner that is mutually beneficial. It includes the idea that electrified forms of transport will have batteries that can offer flexibility to energy systems, thereby improving efficiency and profitability of power grids, enabling higher shares of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the transport sector, and offering potential income for vehicle owners [6]. This flexibility will come in the form of so-called smart charging or enabling vehicles to charge when electricity is abundant or when demands are otherwise low and from discharging batteries back to the grid at times when demand exceeds supply.…”

Impact of electric vehicles on the cost-competitiveness of generation and storage technologies in the electricity system

“…demand response services in the forms of strategic charging and possibly also discharging the EV batteries back to the grid (i.e. vehicle-togrid; V2G) [12].…”