Integration of electric fleet virtual power plants in energy markets

This paper aims to investigate electric vehicles (EVs) as a means for energy provisioning, with a focus on company fleets: EVs can be used as mini power plants to feed energy into a local power grid when connected. EV fleets have the potential to access a massive number of batteries from EVs, including cars, trucks, buses, shuttles, and delivery vans to participate in the energy market as a virtual power plant (VPP). Aggregating multiple fleets can improve energy sourcing for fleet operators through volume discounts and enhance flexibility by shifting demands. The approach introduced by this research framework focuses on the integration of two roles, the fleet operator and the energy aggregator. They form the EV VPP by exchanging data about the fleets, to control charging sessions to respond to market signals. Proposed is the optimized purchasing of energy and the application of vehicle-to-grid (V2G). The EV storage capacity is used to offer ancillary services for the power grid which can support the reduction of energy costs, the transition to renewable energy generation, and improve the stability of the power grid.