Connect with us

Sustainable Tech

New Study Finds that EV Charge Automation Could Reduce Carbon Impact by up to 14% in U.S. and by 43% in California

Published

on

New Study Finds that EV Charge Automation Could Reduce Carbon Impact by up to 14% in U.S. and by 43% in California

A new study from Sense and Singularity Energy has demonstrated the potential for significant carbon reductions from electric vehicle (EV) charging using a combination of smart home automation and location- and time-based carbon emissions data from the power grid. The study found that by automating charging to minimize carbon impact, carbon emissions from EV charging could be reduced 8-14% on average across the U.S.

The potential reductions in California are more dramatic, with a potential for 43% carbon savings. California’s grid relies on renewable energy for nearly half of its electricity, much of it from low-carbon sources such as solar and wind, which contribute to significant variations in carbon intensity, a measure of carbon emissions per unit of energy consumed. As states increase their reliance on renewable energy sources, their variability will increase, too, offering similar opportunities to shift usage to times when carbon intensity is lowest.

Carbon reductions from automated EV charging could have a significant impact on reaching carbon emissions goals to slow climate change, and while EV charging is the most obvious case, similar opportunities for savings apply to other large loads in the home. The best opportunities for load shaping are activities that can be scheduled flexibly, like running a dishwasher or washing machine during overnight hours to have clean clothes and dishes ready when they’re needed in the morning.  For these cases, automation can provide the right balance of meeting consumer needs and optimizing cost, carbon emissions, and constraints of the grid.

The study examined consumers’ EV charging patterns using over 100,000 sessions of in-field EV charging data and time-based carbon intensity data for 30 major regional grid balancing authorities for utilities. It found that charging dynamically to minimize carbon utilization was consistently more effective at reducing carbon than Time of Use rates.

The results show that smart home automation can dynamically adjust energy usage to address both grid constraints and carbon emissions goals. A separate study of 1100 California homes conducted by Sense found that 55% of electricity usage in the evening time frame could be shifted to other times during the day or reduced. Using an automated, dynamic approach, utilities can incentivize customers to reduce peak emissions by shifting their activities, including EV charging, similar to the current incentives to reduce peak demand.

Carbon reductions are influenced by the regional mix of energy sources, with some regions offering a potential for higher reductions because of greater variability of carbon intensity in their fuel sources. Among the top 10 balancing authorities, CAISO (California Independent System Operator) had the highest variation in carbon intensity at 307%, followed by SWPP (Southwest Power Pool) at 259%, ERCOT Electric Reliability Council of Texas) at 197% and BPAT (Bonneville Power Authority Transmission) at 181%. For more details, see the complete study.

Carbon reduction percent by state when EV charging takes place within a 24-hour window

The analysis showed that most regions can achieve significant carbon reductions by automating EV charging to take advantage of the cleanest energy sources as they come onto the grid. As more states and regions increase the share of energy produced by renewable sources, the carbon savings potential will increase across the country.

Said Sense CEO Mike Phillips, “This EV study is an example of what can be done as we add intelligence to home infrastructure.  As we work on decarbonizing the grid, because of the increased use of intermittent low-carbon energy sources, it is becoming increasingly important to influence not only how much power is being used, but when it is used.  Fortunately, there are many things in the home where people only care about the result – not when the energy is used.  EV charging is a great example, but automation can extend to other key consumers of energy as we build intelligence into the infrastructure of the home.”

Said Wenbo Shi, CEO and co-founder of Singularity Energy: “This study demonstrates the potential of data-driven carbon intelligence to improve energy management strategies and cost-effectively reduce carbon emissions. We are filling a gap between decarbonization targets measured in tons of carbon and existing energy management strategies that are still kWh and cost driven. There is a massive opportunity to apply the technology to EVs and other smart devices at scale to rapidly accelerate the transition towards a clean energy future.”

Implications for Utilities’ Demand Management Strategies

With EV adoption predicted to grow rapidly, propelled in part by the Biden administration’s plan to build out a national network of 500,000 EV charging stations, utilities are predicting big increases in electricity usage from EV charging over the coming decade. At the same, aggressive carbon reduction goals at the state and federal levels have mandated that utilities must reduce carbon emissions.

Comparison of Carbon Intensity (lbs/MWh) by grid balancing authorities over a week’s duration

While meeting CO2 reduction goals and anticipating new energy loads from electric vehicles, utilities need to keep pace with more intermittent sources of power. The ability to jointly optimize for CO2, cost, and grid constraints can provide the best performance at a system level. Dynamic signals from the power grid combined with EV charging automation could be used to inform utilities’ incentive programs, influence consumer behavior, modulate peak demand as EV adoption grows, and reduce carbon.

About the Study

The study examined 100,000 sessions of in-field electric vehicle charging data and analyzed the location- and time-based fuel mix of the power grid to characterize the carbon intensity of common EV charging patterns. It drew on anonymized Sense home energy data and high-quality carbon intensity data from Singularity Energy’s Carbonara platform. Previous analyses of carbon intensity have relied on annual averages that can be two or three years old. Combining these real-time data sets, the study simulated EV charging for carbon intensity to identify carbon reductions. For more details, get the complete study.

News

Vapesol Achieves Groundbreaking Zero Waste Milestone in EVA Sole Production

Published

on

 Vapesol, a Portuguese leader in footwear sole manufacturing, has announced a landmark achievement in sustainability and efficiency: becoming the first company globally to reach 100% reuse and zero waste in its EVA sole production. This significant milestone, achieved through the introduction of the innovative “Eva Powder” brand, sets a new sustainability benchmark for the footwear industry. The breakthrough will be officially unveiled at Lineapelle in Milan this February, the world’s premier international trade fair for footwear components.

Décio Pereira, CEO of Vapesol, shared, “Our process involves not only recycling misshapen soles but also redesigning processes to eliminate unnecessary waste entirely.” This initiative has successfully tackled the challenge of reducing the environmental footprint associated with sole production, transforming what was once considered waste into a valuable resource.

Producing approximately 4,500 pairs of EVA soles daily, Vapesol previously faced a waste output that constituted about 10 to 11 percent of its total production. “This resulted in around 50 tonnes of waste annually, which had a significant environmental impact as it decomposed slowly in landfills over many years,” Pereira explained. However, with the implementation of the Eva Powder process, these 50 tonnes of waste can now be fully reintegrated into the production cycle without any loss of the soles’ physical or mechanical properties.

Eva Powder has earned the RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) Certification in EVA by Intertek, marking Vapesol as the first company to achieve this certification for EVA soles. This certification underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovation within the industry.

By transforming deformed soles into valuable resources and eliminating waste, Vapesol is spearheading a revolution that not only redefines EVA sole production but also contributes to a more sustainable and innovative world. In an era where sustainable footwear production is not just a trend but a necessity, Vapesol’s efforts resonate with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and ethical options. These consumers, increasingly knowledgeable and concerned about sustainability, seek products that minimize environmental damage and reduce ecological footprints.

Vapesol is poised to introduce the groundbreaking EVA POWDER at the upcoming Lineapelle event in Milan from February 20-22. This launch positions Vapesol as the world’s first company to achieve zero waste in the EVA material injection sector for soles, marking a significant step forward in sustainable footwear manufacturing.

About Vapesol
Vapesol is a leading Portuguese company specializing in the manufacture of footwear soles. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality, Vapesol has been at the forefront of developing eco-friendly solutions that meet the demands of the modern consumer while reducing environmental impact.

Continue Reading

News

Green Transportation: Sungrow Partners with Metro Ligero Oeste to Commit to Renewable Energy in Madrid

Published

on

Sungrow announced that it supplied its inverter solutions to an 800kW solar project which was carried out with the Spanish public transport operator Metro Ligero Oeste.

Metro Ligero Oeste serves more than 200,000 inhabitants, adding 28 stations and covering 22.4 km of tracks between the towns of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Boadilla del Monte, Alcorcón, and Madrid.

The project, located in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain, consists of the installation of six units of Sungrow’s string inverters, the SG110CX and two units of the SG50CX, thanks to the dedicated team of SICA installers and with the valuable support of Saltoki, whose commitment, as its Head of PV division says, lies in extending the scope of renewable energies to more customers such as Metro Ligero Oeste.

This project is not only an advance for Metro Ligero Oeste, but also marks a significant milestone towards the environmental sustainability of the transportation company. Its environmental improvement will result in the self-generation of approximately 13% of the energy it consumes and the annual clean energy generation of 1.2 GWh.

“This measure maximizes the company’s positive contribution to sustainability while mitigating our environmental footprint and reducing the negative impact of climate change,” said Pablo Escoda, General Manager of Metro Ligero Oeste. “This initiative is part of our commitment to the environment and the efficient use of energy and takes us a step further by now committing to self-consumption and producing part of the 100% clean energy we already consume through the installation of solar plants,” he added.

“Our mission is to drive change towards a society that benefits from renewable energy. This project is a clear demonstration of our commitment. It not only strengthens the energy autonomy of the facilities, but also enhances the passenger experience,” states Guillermo Donézar, Head of Distribution Southern Europe at Sungrow.

The pilot project is critical to advancing a cleaner and more sustainable future. It also symbolizes the joint commitment of Sungrow and Metro Ligero Oeste towards renewable energy and environmentally friendly transportation.

About Sungrow

Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (“Sungrow”) is the world’s most bankable inverter brand with over 405 GW installed worldwide as of June 2023. Founded in 1997 by University Professor Cao Renxian, Sungrow is a leader in the research and development of solar inverters with the largest dedicated R&D team in the industry and a broad product portfolio offering PV inverter solutions and energy storage systems for utility-scale, commercial & industrial, and residential applications, as well as internationally recognized floating PV plant solutions, NEV driving solutions, EV charging solutions and renewable hydrogen production systems. With a strong 27-year track record in the PV space, Sungrow products power over 150 countries worldwide.

Logo

Continue Reading

News

StarCharge to booth in Japan N+ Sustainability Show with Full Lineup of Charging Solutions

Published

on

The N+ Exhibition, globally recognized for showcasing the cutting edge of renewable energy technology and solutions, provides the perfect platform for StarCharge to share the significant potential of its wide range of charger and energy products and technologies.

At the exhibition booth, StarCharge will present its full lineup of products, including AC chargers, DC chargers, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) chargers, and energy management and cloud services. There will be opportunities to directly inspect these solutions, understand their functionality, and imagine their potential in various application scenarios.

StarCharge’s Chief Officer said, “StarCharge’s technologies are designed to revolutionize how we use energy. From daily electric vehicle owners to businesses looking to transition their energy usage to a more sustainable model, our solutions are designed for everyone.”

In addition to product presentations, StarCharge’s booth will also host expert-led talks and interactive sessions to further enlighten attendees about the potential of sustainable energy. Visitors are encouraged to join these discussions, contribute ideas, and share their own experiences.

Through its presence at the N+ Exhibition, StarCharge continues to strengthen its position as a leader in green energy solutions, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. We invite everyone to visit our booth to discover how we can collectively evolve towards a future powered by renewable, efficient energy.

About StarCharge:

StarCharge is a world-leading provider of charging solutions and energy management systems, dedicated to driving the transition to sustainable energy. With a diverse range of innovative, high-quality products, StarCharge is pushing boundaries and evolving the energy landscape for a greener future.

Continue Reading

Trending

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter

Get Business and Marketing Insights from Experts, only onTimes of Startups!

Your Information will never be shared with any third party