Carbon optimized Virtual Power Plant with Electric Vehicles

This paper describes a Virtual Power Plant, containing aggregated micro-generation sources and Electric Vehicles as mobile loads. A UK generic distribution network is used to build a VPP comprising several micro-grids. EV and micro-generation penetration levels are projected for the year 2030, based on previous studies. A multi time period optimization is performed to minimise carbon emissions and the results are compared with the scenario lacking micro-generation. Aspects that are taken into account include the additional cold start micro-CHP emissions, as well as the heat demand and storage. The sensitivity to daily UK grid mix emission factor variation is also investigated. The final outcome is daily generation profiles for each of the micro-generators and the total emissions necessary to serve customer load in the VPP area. Emission factors are then derived for consumer electricity (gCO₂/kWh) and the EVs (gCO₂/km) for the year 2030.