Utilizing Highway Rest Areas for Electric Vehicle Charging: Economics and Impacts on Renewable Energy Penetration in California

US Transportation Collectionhttp://doi.org/10.7922/G2N29V6B2020PDFTech ReportKiani, BehdadOgden, JoanSheldo, F AlexCordano, LaurenUniversity of California, Davis, Institute of Transportation StudiesNational Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST)United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramUnited States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and TechnologyCalifornia. Dept. of Transportation. Division of Research, Innovation, and System InformationNational Center for Sustainable TransportationUnited StatesElectric vehicle chargingElectric vehiclesIntercity travelRange (Vehicles)Renewable energy sourcesRoadside rest areasSolar power generationTravel behaviorTravel demandHighway Rest AreasEnergy SystemLong-distance TravelNCST-UCD-RR-20-15Caltrans 65A0686 Task Order 011USDOT Grant 69A3551747114Final Report (December 2018 \u2013 October 2019)California policy is incentivizing rapid adoption of zero emission electric vehicles for light-duty and freight applications. This project explored how locating charging facilities at California\u2019s highway rest stops might impact electricity demand, grid operation, and integration of renewables like solar and wind into California\u2019s energy mix. Assuming a growing population of electric vehicles to meet state goals, state-wide growth of electricity demand was estimated, and the most attractive rest stop locations for siting chargers identified. Using a California-specific electricity dispatch model developed at UC Davis, the project estimated how charging vehicles at these stations would impact renewable energy curtailment in California. It estimated the impacts of charging infrastructures on California\u2019s electricity system and how they can be utilized to decrease the duck curve effect resulting from a large amount of solar energy penetration by 2050.111