Balancing Building and Electric Vehicle Energy Needs: A Study on Bi-Directional and Managed Workplace Charging

Research Lead: Matthew D. Dean

UC Campus(es): UC Irvine

Problem Statement: Many Californians commute by car, parking for several hours at work—an ideal time to charge electric vehicles when solar power is abundant. However, employers may hesitate to install workplace chargers if electric vehicle charging overlaps with peak building energy demand, raising utility costs. Bi-directional and managed charging, which balances building and transportation energy needs, could address the needs of electric vehicle commuters and businesses.

Project Description: This research seeks to answer: Which employees, and under what conditions, will accept bi-directional and managed charging? How does acceptance change with program design? How can the economic benefits be fairly shared between employees and employers? How much bi-directional charging capacity is needed for different workplaces across California? The project will conduct a behavioral study, using a web-based survey and discrete choice experiment, to understand electric vehicle owners' preferences for various program features like cost, range, and guaranteed minimum range. Based on employee acceptance, the project will optimize electric vehicle charging to estimate the number of chargers needed in different workplaces. This will guide businesses in designing cost-effective charging programs that meet employee needs, benefit employers, and support California’s clean energy goals.

Status: In Progress

Budget: $84,293