Impact of the electricity mix and use profile in the life-cycle assessment of electric vehicles
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented an environmental and an economic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for conventional and electric vehicle technologies, focusing mainly on the primary energy source and the vehicle operation phase Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
Abstract: This paper presents an environmental and an economic Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) for conventional and electric vehicle technologies, focusing mainly on the primary energy source and the vehicle operation phase Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. A detailed analysis of the electricity mix was performed, based on the contribution of each type of primary energy source and their variation along a year. Three mixes were considered, with different life cycle GHG intensity: one mainly based in fossil sources, a second one with a large contribution from nuclear and a third one with a significant share of renewable energy sources. The conventional vehicle technology is represented by gasoline and diesel International Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs), while the electric technology is represented by Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). Real world tests were performed for representative compact and sub-compact EVs. The use profile of the vehicle was based on data acquired by a real time data acquisition system installed in the vehicles. The results show that a mix with a large contribution from Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) does not always translate directly into low GHG emissions for EVs due to the high variability of these sources. The driving profile under different scenarios was also analyzed, showing that an aggressive style can increase the energy consumption by 47%. The tests also showed that the use of climate control can increase the energy consumption between 24 and 60%. Compared with other technologies, EVs can be more sustainable from an environmental and economic perspective; however, three main factors are required: improvement of battery technology, an eco-driving attitude and an environmental friendly electricity mix.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the technological readiness of different elements of BEV technology and highlight those technological areas where important progress is expected, and investigate the economic issues linked with the development of BEVs.
Abstract: As concerns of oil depletion and security of supply remain as severe as ever, and faced with the consequences of climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions, Europe is increasingly looking at alternatives to traditional road transport technologies. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are seen as a promising technology, which could lead to the decarbonisation of the Light Duty Vehicle fleet and to independence from oil. However it still has to overcome some significant barriers to gain social acceptance and obtain appreciable market penetration. This review evaluates the technological readiness of the different elements of BEV technology and highlights those technological areas where important progress is expected. Techno-economic issues linked with the development of BEVs are investigated. Current BEVs in the market need to be more competitive than other low carbon vehicles, a requirement which stimulates the necessity for new business models. Finally, the all-important role of politics in this development is, also, discussed. As the benefit of BEVs can help countries meet their environmental targets, governments have included them in their roadmaps and have developed incentives to help them penetrate the market.
432 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the usefulness of different types of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of electrified vehicles to provide robust and relevant stakeholder information, and present synthesized conclusions based on 79 papers.
Abstract: The purpose of this review article is to investigate the usefulness of different types of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of electrified vehicles to provide robust and relevant stakeholder information. It presents synthesized conclusions based on 79 papers. Another objective is to search for explanations to divergence and “complexity” of results found by other overviewing papers in the research field, and to compile methodological learnings. The hypothesis was that such divergence could be explained by differences in goal and scope definitions of the reviewed LCA studies. The review has set special attention to the goal and scope formulation of all included studies. First, completeness and clarity have been assessed in view of the ISO standard’s (ISO 2006a, b) recommendation for goal definition. Secondly, studies have been categorized based on technical and methodological scope, and searched for coherent conclusions. Comprehensive goal formulation according to the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b) is absent in most reviewed studies. Few give any account of the time scope, indicating the temporal validity of results and conclusions. Furthermore, most studies focus on today’s electric vehicle technology, which is under strong development. Consequently, there is a lack of future time perspective, e.g., to advances in material processing, manufacturing of parts, and changes in electricity production. Nevertheless, robust assessment conclusions may still be identified. Most obvious is that electricity production is the main cause of environmental impact for externally chargeable vehicles. If, and only if, the charging electricity has very low emissions of fossil carbon, electric vehicles can reach their full potential in mitigating global warming. Consequently, it is surprising that almost no studies make this stipulation a main conclusion and try to convey it as a clear message to relevant stakeholders. Also, obtaining resources can be observed as a key area for future research. In mining, leakage of toxic substances from mine tailings has been highlighted. Efficient recycling, which is often assumed in LCA studies of electrified vehicles, may reduce demand for virgin resources and production energy. However, its realization remains a future challenge. LCA studies with clearly stated purposes and time scope are key to stakeholder lessons and guidance. It is also necessary for quality assurance. LCA practitioners studying hybrid and electric vehicles are strongly recommended to provide comprehensive and clear goal and scope formulation in line with the ISO standard (ISO 2006a, b).
383 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of different strategies, algorithms and methods to implement a smart charging control system for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) is presented, and also significant projects around the world about PEVs integration are presented.
Abstract: Plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) are emerging as an efficient and sustainable alternative for private and public road transportation. From the point of view of electric grids, PEVs are currently considered as simple loads due to their low market penetration. However, as the PEV fleet grows, implementation of an intelligent management system will be necessary in order to avoid large capital expenditures in network reinforcements and negative effects on electric distribution networks, such as: voltage deviations, transformers and lines saturations, increase of electrical losses, etc. These issues may jeopardize the safety and reliability of the grid. As a consequence, this topic has been researched in many papers where a wide range of solutions have been proposed. This paper presents a review of different strategies, algorithms and methods to implement a smart charging control system. Also significant projects around the world about PEVs integration are presented. Finally, on the basis of this review, main findings and some recommendations are presented.
370 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on a novel integrated vehicle simulation framework, which allows for consistency in vehicle parameter settings and consideration of future technological progress.
318 citations
Cites background from "Impact of the electricity mix and u..."
...Since electricity and hydrogen supply can – depending on generation technologies used – represent important contributors to overall life cycle burdens [5,8,17,77], the impact of different production technologies on the LCA results is further analyzed....
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of the battery units in electric vehicles and hybrid cars is presented, with an assessment of green chemistries as novel green energy sources for the electric vehicle and microelectronics portable energy landscape.
Abstract: Electric and hybrid vehicles are associated with green technologies and a reduction in greenhouse emissions due to their low emissions of greenhouse gases and fuel-economic benefits over gasoline and diesel vehicles. Recent analyses show nevertheless that electric vehicles contribute to the increase in greenhouse emissions through their excessive need for power sources, particularly in countries with limited availability of renewable energy sources, and result in a net contribution and increase in greenhouse emissions across the European continent. The chemical and electronic components of car batteries and their waste management require also a major investment and development of recycling technologies, to limit the dispersion of electric waste materials in the environment. With an increase in fabrication and consumption of battery technologies and multiplied production of electric vehicles worldwide in recent years, a full review of the cradle-to-grave characteristics of the battery units in electric vehicles and hybrid cars is important. The inherent materials and chemicals for production and the resulting effect on waste-management policies across the European Union are therefore reported here for the scope of updating legislations in context with the rapidly growing sales of electric and hybrid vehicles across the continent. This study provides a cradle-to-grave analysis of the emerging technologies in the transport sector, with an assessment of green chemistries as novel green energy sources for the electric vehicle and microelectronics portable energy landscape. Additionally, this work envisions and surveys the future development of biological systems for energy production, in the view of biobatteries. This work is of critical importance to legislative groups in the European Union for evaluating the life-cycle impact of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries on the environment and for establishing new legislations in context with waste handling of electric and hybrid vehicles and sustain new innovations in the field of sustainable portable energy.
312 citations
References
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Book Chapter•
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5,004 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the mechanisms of lithium-ion battery ageing are reviewed and evaluated, and the most promising candidate as the power source for (hybrid) electric vehicles and stationary energy storage.
3,115 citations
"Impact of the electricity mix and u..." refers background in this paper
...Overcharge, over-discharge, high Depth of Discharge (DOD)s and high temperatures also influence the fast decay of the battery life and low temperatures can also have a negative impact, mainly during the charging phase [46,51]....
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...Internal resistance, typically in the range of milliohms, which increases both with cycling and age, is one parameter that contributes to the battery efficiency by causing a voltage drop under load and by reducing the maximum output current affecting the charge/discharge rate [46–48]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a review has been done on scope of CO2 mitigation through solar cooker, water heater, dryer, biofuel, improved cookstove and by hydrogen, which provides an excellent opportunity for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission and reducing global warming through substituting conventional energy sources.
Abstract: Renewable technologies are considered as clean sources of energy and optimal use of these resources minimize environmental impacts, produce minimum secondary wastes and are sustainable based on current and future economic and social societal needs. Sun is the source of all energies. The primary forms of solar energy are heat and light. Sunlight and heat are transformed and absorbed by the environment in a multitude of ways. Some of these transformations result in renewable energy flows such as biomass and wind energy. Renewable energy technologies provide an excellent opportunity for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission and reducing global warming through substituting conventional energy sources. In this article a review has been done on scope of CO2 mitigation through solar cooker, water heater, dryer, biofuel, improved cookstoves and by hydrogen.
2,584 citations
"Impact of the electricity mix and u..." refers background in this paper
...A key difference between both technologies is the upstream GHG emissions associated with the generation and delivery of the energy carrier [16]....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the systems and processes needed to tap energy in vehicles and implement V2G and quantitatively compare today's light vehicle fleet with the electric power system.
2,022 citations
"Impact of the electricity mix and u..." refers background in this paper
...The presence of an energy storage device allows the EVs to be used as a flexible load and to support large scale renewable energy generation through smart recharging methodologies, however the massive electrification of the vehicles may bring additional problems to the electric grid if not correctly managed [22,23]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the main characteristics of different electricity storage techniques and their field of application (permanent or portable, long- or short-term storage, maximum power required, etc.).
Abstract: Electricity generated from renewable sources, which has shown remarkable growth worldwide, can rarely provide immediate response to demand as these sources do not deliver a regular supply easily adjustable to consumption needs. Thus, the growth of this decentralized production means greater network load stability problems and requires energy storage, generally using lead batteries, as a potential solution. However, lead batteries cannot withstand high cycling rates, nor can they store large amounts of energy in a small volume. That is why other types of storage technologies are being developed and implemented. This has led to the emergence of storage as a crucial element in the management of energy from renewable sources, allowing energy to be released into the grid during peak hours when it is more valuable. The work described in this paper highlights the need to store energy in order to strengthen power networks and maintain load levels. There are various types of storage methods, some of which are already in use, while others are still in development. We have taken a look at the main characteristics of the different electricity storage techniques and their field of application (permanent or portable, long- or short-term storage, maximum power required, etc.). These characteristics will serve to make comparisons in order to determine the most appropriate technique for each type of application.
1,822 citations