Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Technology for Optimal Grid Demand Profile and Sustainable Energy Management: A State-of-the-Art Survey

In response to the pressing need to address the urgent global issues of climate degradation, global warming, fossil fuel depletion, etc., the transportation sector is rapidly transitioning from fossil-fuel-based internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). At the same time, the electricity sector is fast switching from fossil-fuel-based generation to renewable-based generation. This expeditious adoption and absorption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) offer significant benefits and pose great challenges to utility smart grid operators. The sporadic charging of large-scale PEVs that require significant charging power raises serious concerns regarding the techno-economic-sustainable operation of smart utility grids. These concerns include increased peak demand, elevated costs of grid operation, heightened greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, etc. The bidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology of PEVs is emerging as a promising solution for mitigating these negative grid impacts of PEVs as it enables smart charging and discharging of PEVs. This paper presents a state-of-the-art survey of current research on deploying V2G technology and renewable energy sources (RESs) in utility smart electricity grid operation to minimize both grid peak demand (optimal grid power demand profile) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A concise overview of V2G technology and V2G optimal scheduling is also given. Recommendations for further research are also provided to maximize the techno-economic-environmental merits of grid-integrated PEVs and RESs.