Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification and its Potential as a Clean Energy Alternative for Critical Operations

The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of the Davis Campus

Recipient

Davis, CA

Recipient Location

3rd

Senate District

4th

Assembly District

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$408,916

Amount Spent

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Active

Project Status

Project Update

To date, the project team has partnered closely with Caltrans to pinpoint and devise architectural adjustments necessary for installing the Vehicle-to-Building (V2B) DC electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and facilitating the connection of essential loads that would be necessary during emergency operation center (EOC) events. The team has managed to make significant strides in developing the EVSE backup power solution with a comprehensive review of historical site data extracted from the energy monitoring system. The system provided four years of data to determine backup load requirements and appropriately size the backup solution. This led to the selection of a state-of-the-art EVSE platform and black start components, enabling the EV sweeper to reliably supply backup power. Additionally, detailed blueprint reviews resulted in three distinct design approaches for integrating the backup system, currently under review, to determine the pros and cons of each method. A new powertrain manufacturer was selected for the EV sweeper, which the team is now working closely with to determine the necessary modification to the EV specifications. In parallel, the project team identified the optimal charging and discharging behaviors of EV battery cells in line with the ISO 15118-20 communication protocol and developed and continuously refined a predictive model to assess the battery's state of health under various thermal conditions.

The Issue

Critical commercial buildings typically rely on fossil fueled backup generators that are polluting and expensive to maintain and operate. Large-scale dedicated behind-the-meter storage can be cost-prohibitive and potentially underutilized for backup power applications. Discharging energy from electric vehicles (EVs) for V2B services could provide a low-emission and low-cost solution for backup power. However, V2B products require additional features and functionality beyond existing bidirectional chargers, for example the ability to remain operational when disconnected from grid power or to provide variable discharge rates to match fluctuations in local load. There is limited publicly-available information on how effectively V2B technologies can meet the requirements of commercial buildings. Uncertainty remains regarding potential battery degradation, suitability and reliability of various EV types, including medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, for V2B applications.

Project Innovation

This project will advance and demonstrate bidirectional charging technologies for heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs) to provide backup power and other electric services to a critical fleet facility located in a disadvantaged community in Oakland. The project will implement modifications to existing bidirectional charging hardware and software to enable blackstart and variable discharge capabilities. The project will also evaluate potential impacts to EV battery degradation associated with bidirectional charging and develop operational strategies to extend battery lifetime.

Project Goals

Improve the capabilities of bidirectional charging hardware and software to enable V2B functionality.
Evaluate potential energy benefits achievable statewide from potential use of heavy-duty EVs for bidirectional charging.
Demonstrate V2B with heavy-duty EVs at a lower cost than established alternatives with minimal impacts.
Support market growth for V2B technologies by collecting and sharing data on performance, costs, and benefits.

Project Benefits

This project will result in the ratepayer benefits of greater electricity reliability, lower costs, and increased safety by advancing the capabilities and market availability of V2B technology that can serve as a flexible, clean demand-side energy resource. V2B technology can increase local energy resilience by providing backup power during outages. Additionally, V2B technology can support greater electric grid reliability through scheduled or event-based load shedding and/or shifting at times of high grid stress, energy cost, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Greater Reliability

Reliability

The V2B technology demonstrated can increase local energy resilience by providing backup power during outages. Additionally, the V2B technology advanced can support greater electric grid reliability through scheduled or event-based load shedding and/or shifting at times of high grid stress, energy cost, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental & Public Health

Environmental Sustainability

The project will enable use of V2B with heavy-duty vehicles as an clean alternative to fossil fueled backup generators for providing resilience to critical commercial buildings.

Key Project Members

Project Member

Keith Graeber

Director of Engineering
UC Davis California Lighting Technology Center

Subrecipients

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Nuvve Holding Corp.

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West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project

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Match Partners

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Regents of the University of California, Davis

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Nuvve Holding Corp.

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