Current electric vehicle (EV) charging systems have limited smart functionality, and most research focuses on load-balancing the national or regional grid. In this article, we focus on supporting the ...early design of a smart charging system that can effectively and efficiently charge a company’s EV fleet, maximizing the use of self-generated Photo-Voltaic energy. The support takes place in the form of the Vehicle Charging Simulation (VeCS) model. System performance is determined by operational costs, CO2 emissions and employee satisfaction. Two impactful smart charging functions concern adaptive charging speeds and charging point management. Simulation algorithms for these functions are developed. The VeCS model is developed to simulate implementation of a smart charging system incorporating both charging infrastructure and local Photo-Voltaics input, using a company’s travel and energy data, prior to having the EVs in place. The model takes into account travel behaviour, energy input and energy consumption on a daily basis. The model shows the number of charged vehicles, whether incomplete charges occur, and energy flow during the day. The model also facilitates simulation of an entire year to determine overall cost and emission benefits. It also estimates charging costs and CO2 emissions that can be compared to the non-EV situation. With the VeCS model, the impact of various system design and implementation choices can be explored before EVs are used. Two system designs are proposed for the case company; a short-term version with current technology and a future version with various smart functionalities. Overall, the model can contribute to substantiated advice for a company regarding implementation of charging infrastructure.
Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a concept that aligns with both current and future mobility demands of users, namely intermodal, personalized, on-demand and seamless. Although the number of shared ...mobility, electric mobility and multimodal passenger transport users is rapidly growing, until now, the list of MaaS and electric Mobility as Service (eMaaS) providers is quite short. This could partly be explained by the lack of a common architecture that facilitates the complex integration of all actors involved in the (e)MaaS ecosystem. The goal of this publication is to give an overview of the state of the art regarding (e)MaaS’ ecosystems and architectures. Moreover, it aims to support the further development of eMaaS by proposing a definition and a novel system architecture for eMaaS. Firstly, the state of the art of the MaaS ecosystem is reviewed. Secondly, the eMaaS ecosystem that builds upon our definition of eMaaS is described and the MaaS system- and technical- architectures found in literature are reviewed. Finally, an eMaaS architecture that focuses on the integration of MaaS and electric mobility systems is presented. With the definition, ecosystem and system architecture presented in this work, the aim is to support the further development of the eMaaS concept.
Decentralisation of electricity generation, and electrification of heating and transportation pose challenges for the distribution networks, such as possible network congestion. Network operators ...investigate alternatives for reinforcements. Flexibility through demand response (DR) is one of these alternatives. Four theoretical possibilities for flexibility as a solution for congestion management are presented, in relation to four pilot projects on congestion management in the Netherlands. This article evaluates these four pilot projects based on six evaluation criteria. The strengths and weaknesses of all pilots are addressed, and the results of the pilot projects are discussed.
Systems engineering is, for a large part, a process description of how to bring new systems to existence. It is valuable as it directs the development effort. Tools exist that can be used in this ...process. System analysis investigates existing and/or desired situations. However, how to create a system that instantiates the desired situation depends significantly on human creativity and insight; the required human trait here is commonly called systems thinking. In literature, this trait is regularly used, but information on how to do systems thinking is scarce. Therefore, we have introduced earlier twelve thinking tracks that are concrete and help system designers to make an optimal fit between the system under design, the identified issue, the user, the environment and the rest of the world. The paper provides the scientific rationale for the thinking tracks based on literature. Secondly, the paper presents three cases of application, leading to the conclusion that the tracks are usable and effective.
Systems engineering is a discipline with methods and techniques to address complex problems. We want to study how Systems Engineering methods can help to address today's grand challenges, such as the ...energy problem. The first step is problem definition which aims at articulating the problem in its context as clearly as possible.Humanity will have to cope with the energy problem, one of the most critical challenges of humanity in this century. The energy problem itself is related to other challenges facing humanity like water, food and poverty. The key challenges concerning energy are climate change and other environmental impact of energy production and use, energy security, and long-term sustainable and affordable access to energy.The intention is to investigate the energy problem through applying system engineering practices aiming to reach a more clear, concise, and consistent understanding of the energy problem. This will help in both reaching a common understanding platform for all those involved in the energy problem and pave the way to identify the needs and thus suggesting and assessing solutions. Our first attempts to formulate a problem statement and to identify energy needs indicate that there are many assumptions in current literature.
In light of European and worldwide environmental programs, reduction of CO 2 emissions and improvements in air quality receive a lot of attention. A prominent way to improve on both aspects is the ...replacement of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles with Electrical Vehicles. Yet, simply replacing vehicles will not result in proper electric mobility because using Electrical Vehicles depends on many systems and infrastructures including the chargers, parking sites and payment structures. In this paper we will take an explorative view on Electric Mobility and match developments in that area with Systems of Systems Engineering. We will also present a case study on charging many Electric Vehicles, where we will match business opportunities and technical feasibility to the transition from early adopters to the early majority as main Electric Vehicle users.
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