Modelling the impact of integrated electric vehicle charging and domestic heating strategies on future energy demands

The next 30 years could see dramatic changes in domestic energy use, with increasingly stringent building regulations, the uptake of building-integrated microgeneration, the possible electrification of heating (e.g. heat pumps) and the use of electric vehicles (EV). In this paper, the ESP-r building simulation tool was used to model the consequences of both the electrification of heat and EV charging on the electrical demand characteristics of a future, net-zero-energy dwelling. The paper describes the adaptation of ESP-r so that domestic electrical power flows could be simulated at a temporal resolution high enough to calculate realistic peak demand. An algorithm for EV charging is also presented, along with the different charging options. Strategies by which EV charging and electrified heating could be controlled in order to minimise peak household electrical demand were assessed. The simulation results indicate that uncontrolled vehicle charging and the use of electrified heating could more than double peak household power demand. By contrast, a more intelligent, load-sensitive heating and charging strategy could limit the peak demand rise to around 40% of a base case with no vehicle or electrified heating. However, overall household electrical energy use was still more than doubled.