What challenges does electric mobility pose for the energy system?

• What impacts does the market uptake of electric vehicles have on energy generation, transmission and distribution?
  
• Can electric vehicles help to integrate renewable energies into the energy system and contribute to the transformation of the energy system in this way?
• What should a regulation framework look like to facilitate the market integration of electric vehicles?
• What new business models (for example smart charging, vehicle to grid) result at the intersection of e-mobility and the energy system?
   

Accompanying research “ICT for electric mobility”

As part of the research accompanying the “ICT for electric mobility” technology program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), we conduct scientific studies in the field of smart applications for mobility, logistics and energy (for example, integrating electric mobility into the power grid with the help of controlled charging). Together with the other project partners, we also provide internal and external networking and public relations support for the projects and the program.

Potential of integrating electric vehicles into Europe’s electricity system

We are exploring the potential of electric vehicles (passenger cars, light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles) to provide flexibility through bidirectional charging in Europe and individual member states. In addition to determining the technical potential, we also focus on the economic viability of and business models for bidirectional charging. Further, we identify the obstacles hindering widespread implementation of bidirectional charging (for example, legal framework, the availability of vehicles).

EnTEC

Setting up an multi-disciplinary Energy Transition Expertise Centre (EnTEC) providing expertise in analysing and accompanying the transformation processes in the EU energy transition. The aim of the EnTEC Research Centre is to inform the EC on important topics for the energy transition and analyse the impact on and interaction with other sectors. The overarching goal is to contribute to the European Green Deal ambitions and define further key research and innovation priorities.

Charge at work (LamA)

In the LamA project, a total of 480 charging points are being installed at numerous Fraunhofer institutions in Germany within the framework of the German government’s Immediate Action Program for Clean Air (Sofortprogramm “Saubere Luft”). We examine the influence of this new charging infrastructure on the intention to use and attitudes towards e-mobility among Fraunhofer employees as well as local residents and neighboring businesses, and use the results to derive suggestions and actions.

• Gnann, T.; Yu, S.; Kühnbach, M.; Stute, J. (2023): The value of smart charging at home and its impact on EV market shares – a German case study, ECEMP; Oct, 5^th 2023, online.
  
• Geschwendtner, C., Knoeri, K., Stephan, A. (2023): The impact of plug-in behavior on the spatial–temporal flexibility of electric vehicle charging load. In Sustainable Cities and Society, 88, 10423.
• Burkhardt, J.; Kühnbach, M.; Pelka, S. (2022): Intervening me softly – modeling nudging interventions to change EV user preferences. In eceee Summer Study 2022.
• Kühnbach, M.; Bekk, A.; Weidlich, A. (2021): Towards improved prosumer participation: Electricity trading in local markets. In Energy, p. 122445.
  
• Stute, Judith; Kühnbach, Matthias (2021): Dynamische Stromtarife unter Berücksichtigung des Nutzendenverhaltens: Auswirkungen auf das Verteilnetz. In IEWT 2021 - 12. Internationale Energiewirtschaftstagung an der TU Wien.
• Kühnbach, M.; Stute, J.; Klingler, A.-L. (2021): Impacts of avalanche effects of price-optimized electric vehicle charging - Does demand response make it worse? In: Energy Strategy Reviews 34, p. 100608.
  
• Plötz, P.; Moll, C.; Bieker, G.; Mock, P. (2021): From lab-to-road: real-world fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. In: Environ. Res. Lett. 16 (5), p. 54078.