A Digital Twin for Electromobility Flexibility Forecast

Project Information

eMob-Twin

Grant agreement ID: 101112783

DOI

10.3030/101112783

Project closed

EC signature date 27 February 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 31 October 2024

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - eMob-Twin (A Digital Twin for Electromobility Flexibility Forecast)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The transition to sustainable urban mobility is essential to achieving the European Union's climate goals under the "Fit for 55" plan, which targets a 55% reduction in carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 2030. Despite significant progress in decarbonizing the power sector, the transport sector remains a significant emitter of greenhouse gases. In 2023, only 18% of the 77 million light-duty vehicles sold worldwide were electric vehicles (EVs). This figure underscores the urgent need for large-scale electrification of transportation to meet climate targets.

By 2030, it is estimated that EVs will account for 60% of new vehicle sales in the EU, with the ban on petrol and diesel cars set to take effect by 2035. However, this rapid transition to electrification presents several challenges:

• Insufficient Charging Infrastructure: Many cities and regions lack adequate charging stations, making EV adoption less convenient for users.
• Grid Stability Issues: The increased demand for electricity from EVs can lead to congestion and imbalances in the power grid, particularly during peak usage hours.
• Integration with Renewable Energy: Effectively managing intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, alongside EV charging is a complex task.

Despite these challenges, EVs offer significant opportunities for energy management. Through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, EVs can act as mobile energy storage units, storing surplus renewable energy and feeding it back into the grid when needed. This concept, known as e-flexibility, can enhance grid stability, reduce energy costs, and support the integration of renewables.

The eMob-Twin project aims to address these challenges by developing a digital twin—a virtual model that simulates urban EV mobility and energy systems. This digital twin combines real-time data on EV usage, charging infrastructure, and energy consumption to:

• Optimize the placement and operation of charging stations to meet current and future demand.
• Predict energy demand and manage grid congestion to ensure a stable and reliable power supply.
• Evaluate the impact of different EV penetration scenarios on urban mobility and energy systems.

By providing these insights, eMob-Twin aims to facilitate the large-scale adoption of EVs, improve urban mobility, and contribute to the EU's long-term sustainability and energy independence goals.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The eMob-Twin project builds on the research outcomes of the ERC-AdG Scale-FreeBack project (2017-2023) and focuses on developing a scalable, data-driven platform for electromobility. The primary achievements of the project include:

a) Development of the eMob-Twin Digital Twin Platform. The eMob-Twin platform integrates real-time urban mobility data with detailed energy consumption models. Initially designed for the Grenoble metropolitan area, the platform has been expanded to cover 23 major cities across France, making it a versatile tool for urban planners and energy operators.

b) Enhanced User Interface and Simulation Capabilities.The platform features an interactive map and control panel that allow users to:

• Visualize EV mobility patterns and charging infrastructure in real-time.
• Simulate various scenarios to assess the sustainability of existing charging networks.
• Analyze the impact of different EV adoption rates on energy demand and grid stability.

c) Implementation of Key Functionalities. The eMob-Twin platform offers a range of practical applications, including:

• Forecasting EV density and state of charge (SoC) for specific regions and timeframes.
• Developing Master Plans for Electric Vehicle Charging (SDIRVE) to optimize the placement and capacity of charging stations.
• Predicting energy demand hotspots to prevent grid congestion and ensure efficient power distribution.

c) Case Studies and Practical Applications. The platform has been used to evaluate the impact of increasing EV penetration on urban infrastructure and to identify optimal locations for new charging stations. These insights are invaluable for stakeholders, including:

• City planners, who can use the data to design sustainable urban mobility strategies.
• Energy operators, who can optimize power distribution and prevent grid congestion.
• Policymakers, who can develop regulations and incentives to promote EV adoption and infrastructure development.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The eMob-Twin project goes beyond existing solutions by introducing several innovations that set it apart in the field of electromobility:

a) High-Resolution Mobility and Energy Modeling. Unlike traditional models, eMob-Twin offers fine-grained simulations that account for both spatial and temporal variations in EV usage and energy consumption. This level of detail allows for more accurate predictions and better resource allocation, making it a powerful tool for urban and energy planning.

b) Integration of Diverse Charging Scenarios. The platform supports multiple types of charging infrastructure, including:

• Home chargers for overnight charging.
• Office chargers for workplace charging during the day.
• Public chargers for on-the-go charging in urban areas.

By evaluating the interactions between these different charging scenarios, eMob-Twin helps optimize the overall charging network and ensures that energy demand is met efficiently.

c) Scalability and Adaptability. eMob-Twin's modular design allows it to be easily adapted to diferent cities and regions, making it a versatile solution for urban electromobility planning across Europe. The platform's auto-calibration functionality enables it to incorporate local data and provide customized insights for each metropolitan area.

d) Optimization of Charging Strategies. The platform includes advanced algorithms to:

• Optimize the placement of charging stations based on user demand, energy availability, and infrastructure constraints.
• Evaluate the sustainability of charging networks under various EV penetration rates.
• Provide strategic recommendations for power distribution to avoid grid congestion and ensure stable energy supply.

e) Future Developments. Looking ahead, eMob-Twin aims to incorporate new features, including:

• Grid connectivity and interaction with electricity markets to enable dynamic pricing and real-time energy management.
• Enhanced V2G capabilities to maximize the use of EVs as energy storage units and support the integration of renewable energy sources.

By bridging the gap between urban mobility and energy systems, eMob-Twin offers a comprehensive solution to support the EU's transition to sustainable, low-carbon transportation. Its innovative approach provides stakeholders with the tools and insights needed to drive the large-scale adoption of EVs and create more sustainable, efficient, and resilient urban environments.