Environmental and economic performance of hybrid charging stations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The global use of electric vehicles is growing rapidly as a strategy to prevent climate change. In Indonesia, although there is a growing number of electric vehicle charging stations, the majority still depend on electricity produced from fossil fuels, which consequently restricts the overall environmental advantages. The integration of photovoltaic systems into charging infrastructure offers a low-carbon alternative, but their implementation may entail environmental trade-offs. The study aimed to evaluate trade-offs by employing an integrated life-cycle assessment and life-cycle costing framework for the first hybrid charging station in Indonesia, as well as to offer comparative insights for sustainable charging infrastructure.METHODS: The life cycle assessment was conducted with a cradle-to-grave system boundary. ۱ kilowatt-hour of electricity was implemented as a functional unit to compare the energy source scenarios. The Ecoinvent ۳.۸ database for secondary data and the ReCiPe ۲۰۱۶ midpoint (H) method are employed on Open-life cycle assessment software. The analysis of life-cycle costs encompassed capital expenditures, operational and maintenance costs, along with the revenue from the hybrid charging station, projected for a ۲۰-year operational timeframe.FINDINGS: This study showed that charging stations powered by photovoltaic energy emitted the lowest environmental impacts. The minimal impact was observed across nearly all categories, except for the terrestrial ecotoxicity potential. The global warming potential associated with the hybrid charging station was measured at ۱.۱۱۰۴ kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, which is ۰.۸ percent lower than the electricity from the full-grid scenario. Implementing the full photovoltaic system can reduce the global warming potential impact by up to ۸۵ percent. Life cycle cost analysis showed that the hybrid charging station maximizes long-term net economic value, with a net present value of United States Dollar ۲۳۷,۵۳۳.۷۵ and a total life cycle cost of United States Dollar ۲۵۱,۷۸۵.۷۷. Although the comprehensive grid configuration showed enhanced short-term performance, the full photovoltaic system realized the minimal levelized cost of energy.CONCLUSION: Hybrid charging stations offer the best economic performance, while full PV solar systems offer the best environmental benefits. The combination of the two energy sources, along with an increase in renewable energy generation, can contribute to a more sustainable electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.

کلیدواژه ها:

Economic analysis ، electric vehicle ، environmental impact ، Hybrid charging station ، Life Cycle Assessment ، Photovoltaic.