Fully electrified land transport in 100% renewable electricity networks dominated by variable generation

Abstract

Large greenhouse gas reductions are possible with a fully decarbonised grid and electric land transport. Additional electric load could pose a significant challenge to a grid with high levels of variable and non-dispatchable renewable energy sources. This scenario is not well-examined, nor is the use of pumped hydro energy storage for low-cost energy balancing. In this paper, we investigate the electrification of land transport within a photovoltaics and wind dominated 100% renewable electricity system. Only technologies that are deployed at scale and widely available globally are considered, namely photovoltaics, wind, battery electric vehicles, high voltage transmission, and pumped hydro. As a case study we present an hourly energy balance analysis of the Australian National Electricity Market with 100% renewables and 100% uptake of electric vehicles for land transport. The cost of the system is determined by occasional periods (days-weeks) of low renewable generation, and therefore only weakly dependent on the charging regime. The 40% increase in electricity demand due to electric land transport can be incorporated with a 4%–8% increase in the levelized cost of electricity. An exception occurs if most passenger vehicle charging occurs during the evening peak period, in which case the average price increases by about 18%.