Electric mobility requires 25 GW of solar capacity additions in Europe

If the share of electric mobility in passenger road transport increased to 80 percent by 2050, the CO₂ emissions of this sector in Europe could be reduced by up to 84 percent compared to 2010. However, this can only be achieved if the electricity is predominantly generated from renewable energies.

To ensure that the power supply needed for electric mobility is at least met with 50 percent renewable generation, 47 GW of electricity from wind power plants and 25 GW from solar power plants are necessary, reads a new study conducted by Oeko-Institut and Transport & Mobility Leuven on behalf of the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Electric vehicles need substantial quantities of electricity

The experts of the joint research project analyzed in two scenarios the potentials for climate protection and the effects on electricity consumption arising from electric vehicles. They found that electric vehicles need substantial quantities of electricity throughout Europe and will therefore have an impact on electricity production capacities and the stress put on electricity grids in the future.

The electric mobility share in Europe’s total electricity consumption can amount to approx. four to five percent by 2030 and increase to approx. 10 percent by 2050. However, the shares vary strongly among the European countries.

Electric mobility and power generation

If the additional electricity demand of 138 terawatt hours in 2030 and 448 TWh in 2050 is met with electricity from European power plants, the CO₂ emissions of the power sector would increase by 18 million tons in 2030 and 30 million tons in 2050 due to the conventional power plant shares. Particularly in countries with a high share of coal-fired power plants, additional emissions would arise and the environmental benefit of the electric vehicles would be significantly lower, the institute emphasizes.

 

To cover the electricity demand of electric vehicles, significant investments in additional production capacities are necessary. “Only when the power demand of electric vehicles is predominantly met by using renewable energies can EVs play an important role in climate protection,” reads the press release.

Investments in wind and solar generation are necessary

The research team calculates an additional need for generation capacities of about 150 gigawatts (GW) by 2050. This includes 47 GW of electricity from wind power plants and 25 GW from solar power plants to ensure that the power supply needed for electric mobility is at least met with 50 percent renewable generation. To ensure that electric vehicles are fully powered by renewable energy significant additional investments in wind and solar generation are necessary.

Challenges for electric mobility: Grids and charging infrastructure

“Our analyses show that each EU Member State has different pre-conditions for climate-friendly electric mobility,” says Joß Bracker, a climate protection expert at Oeko-Institut and co-author of the study. “The crucial factors are the size of the renewable energy shares in their electricity mix and the robustness of the grid. An increase in highly fluctuating quantities of renewable electricity requires, first and foremost, an efficient and flexible electricity grid.”

Since the power demand of electric vehicles puts stress on local grids in particular, smart charging will play a vital role in the integration of electric vehicles in the power system, he notes. In the medium term, therefore, investments must be made in technological solutions for the smart charging of electric vehicles. Thus, excessive stress on electricity grids can be avoided and grid stability can be guaranteed.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com