Examining the Interaction of Electric Vehicles and the Power Grid by Combining Mobile Phone and Smart Meter Data

Research Lead: Marta Gonzalez

UC Campus(es): UC Berkeley

Problem Statement: The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) will reduce the amount of fuel consumption and pollution generated from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. But EV adoption is likely to entail an environmental tradeoff, with local emissions from cars being reduced while pollution generated by power stations further away from urban centers is increased. Future environmental and energy planning requires information on the likely levels of EV adoption and how that will affect the amount and distribution of air pollution in the state.

Project Description: This research will adapt a calibrated modeling framework of urban mobility using travel demand data drawn from smart phone technologies to examine current mobility patterns, estimate vehicle fuel consumption and emissions at different times of the day, identify the mobility characteristics of EV users, predict the energy and emissions effects of different EV adoption scenarios and where they will occur, and investigate how the strategic placement of EV infrastructure may be used to encourage the adoption of EVs and optimize electricity grid operations.

Status: In Progress

Budget: $75,000