Modelling the transmission of energy between electric vehicles and the local energy network – WMG’s contribution to EV-elocity

At WMG, University of Warwick our Energy Research spans multiple modes of travel, from automotive and marine to rail, aerospace and autonomous vehicles. Our Energy Innovation Centre is our research hub for developing new battery technologies – from new materials and cell designs through to complete battery systems, supported by new battery control systems, models, test and manufacturing methods.

Often when we talk about future mobility, future vehicles and sustainable travel, we think of electrification and its integration within a new sustainable energy network. When we think of electrification in vehicles, a consistency emerges as interest naturally gravitates towards elements such as performance, charging, degradation, consumer behaviour and the infrastructure required to support our future of mobility.

Tracking the transmission of energy from Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)

Whilst a focus is placed on the performance of the electric vehicle itself, it’s important to consider how consumers use the vehicle and how this compares with current traditional combustion engines. We need to quantify the possible level of battery degradation and therefore the economic impact or Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) implications that different strategies and use cases elicit. This will allow us to effectively model the transmission of energy between the respective vehicle and the local energy network.

This forms a key objective within the EV-elocity project, and WMG at the University of Warwick is installing and operating two V2G units on our main campus to delve deeper into these considerations through real-time applied research, encapsulating real-world data analysis on vehicle use and battery performance and creating new models of battery ageing bespoke to V2G operation. These models will provide new insights into degradation due to charge throughput and calendar ageing. The models will be used to optimise new charging control systems and the way the battery is used in V2G.

Building on the progress made during the initial phase of the project, WMG will complete installation of two units currently held on campus, managing the installation directly. We will also work with Cenex to complete installation of the data logging of our Nissan Leaf ENV200 fleet.

Building the Battery Degradation Model

WMG will also seek to extend existing battery degradation models to include the impact of V2G operation. Use cases will be synthesised from data collected from the V2G units installed as part of this project and from datasets held by WMG where confidentiality agreements permit their use.

The degradation model will take account of both cycle ageing (vehicle drive and charging) in addition to calendar ageing (e.g. extended periods of vehicle inactivity). Different use cases will be used to underpin different scenarios to highlight what may be feasible with increased levels of EV-infrastructure integration and forecasting capability.

Blog by James Marco, Professor of Systems Modelling and Simulation at WMG, University of Warwick

For further information please contact:

Tom Hartwell
Marketing and Communications Executive
WMG, University of Warwick
Tel: +44 (0) 24 761 50678
E-mail: [email protected]

The Project EV-elocity is part of the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) competition, funded by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), in partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.

In January 2018, OLEV and BEIS announced that 21 projects (8 feasibility studies, 5 collaborative research and development projects, and 8 real-world v2g trial projects) were to receive funding of £30m to develop the business proposition and the core technology to support Vehicle 2 Grid deployment in the UK, including its demonstration with large scale trials.

The projects involve more than 50 industrial partners and research organisations from both the Energy and Automotive sector, marking the largest and most diverse activities on V2G in the world, and trialling more than 1,000 vehicles and V2G charger units across UK.

The V2G projects represent a significant step towards the transition to a low carbon transportation and a smart energy system. Allowing EVs to return energy to the Power Grid when parked and plugged for charging, will increase Grid resilience, allow for better exploitation of renewable sources and lower the cost of ownership for EV owners, leading to new business opportunities and clear advantages for EV users and energy consumers.

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