Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 225, 595-608 (2016)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-50099-y

Regular Article

Analysis of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle penetration into energy systems predominantly based on lignite

¹ Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, Macedonia
² Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia, and Bio Circuit Institute, University of California San Diego, USA

^a e-mail: lkocarev@ucsd.edu

Received: 2 May 2015
Revised: 1 March 2016
Published online: 25 May 2016

Abstract

We consider an integration of renewable energy into transport and electricity sectors through vehicle to grid (V2G) technologies for an energy system that is predominantly based on lignite. The national energy system of Macedonia is modeled using EnergyPLAN which integrates energy for electricity, transport and heat, and includes hourly fluctuations in human needs and the environment. We show that electric-vehicles can provide the necessary storage enabling a fully renewable energy profile for Macedonia that can match the country's growing demand for energy. Furthermore, a large penetration of electric vehicles leads to a dramatic reduction of 47% of small particles and other air pollutants generated by car traffic in 2050.