V2G-QUESTS employs a research-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to guide Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology into the fabric of urban Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), prioritizing inclusivity and environmental resilience while taking relevant stakeholders into account. Central to its strategy is the utilization of electric vehicles (EVs) as collective energy storage units to stabilize local power networks against intermittent energy supply challenges and the management of sustainable yet intermittent energy sources for PEDs. By engaging a blend of engineering, social sciences, geography, legal studies, and management, the project meticulously tailors its methodologies to enhance the integration of EVs into daily life, engaging the society, and ensuring equitable access to electric mobility that is capable of supporting profitable business models.
Through detailed analysis of EV usage and regulatory landscapes, V2G-QUESTS identifies barriers to V2G adoption, proposing solutions to overcome them. Realistic simulations underpin the project’s policy and business model recommendations, coming to its head in the creation of actionable guidelines. The effects of such actionable guidelines will be assessed by applying the methodology to neighborhoods and districts in three pilot cities. These efforts aim to democratize V2G technology across diverse communities, setting a precedent for sustainable urban energy transitions.
The V2G-QUESTS project is organized into six work packages, each focusing on a distinct aspect of researching and integrating Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology into urban districts. These packages range from optimizing mobility and power systems, understanding citizens’ perceptions, examining EV usage, navigating governance and regulations, conducting V2G simulations, to exploring use cases in Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) for equitable V2G implementation. This structure aims to comprehensively portray the challenges and opportunities of V2G technology, ensuring sustainable, equitable zero-emission transitions in urban environments. A detailed description of each workpackage has been provided below.
Lead Organization: Technische Universität Graz (TUG)
Objectives: The primary focus of WP1 is on the optimization of both power and mobility systems within Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), taking into account electric vehicles (EVs) and their interaction with the power system. This includes assessing the impact of EVs on the power system through power flow analysis and, conversely, evaluating how the placement and availability of charging stations affect EVs.
Description of Work:
Task 1.1: Development of the Power System Optimization Model (M1-M14):
Task 1.2: Shared Mobility Optimization (M12-M27):
Deliverables:
This Work Package aims to integrate the complexities of EV usage with power system demands, creating a sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly urban mobility and power ecosystem.
Lead Organization: HAN University of Applied Sciences / University of Aveiro
Objectives: The aim of WP2 is to delve into societal perspectives on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, understanding the determinants, barriers, and facilitators associated with V2G adoption in daily life. It seeks to enhance knowledge on fostering inclusive and democratic decision-making in sustainability transitions, aligning societal concerns within local communities with stakeholder interests in the V2G ecosystem.
Description of Work:
Deliverables:
WP2 focuses on understanding and integrating the community's voice into the V2G transition, ensuring that the deployment of V2G solutions is responsive to and inclusive of diverse societal needs and perceptions.
Lead Organization: Delft University of Technology (TUD)
Objectives: WP3 is dedicated to examining the utilization patterns of electric vehicles (EVs) in both private and shared mobility contexts, focusing on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities. The objectives include:
Description of Work:
Deliverables:
WP3 addresses the crucial aspect of user engagement with V2G technology, focusing on understanding the preferences, barriers, and incentives for different types of EV usage. Through detailed surveys and analyses, this work package aims to foster a deeper understanding of public attitudes towards V2G, informing the development of more inclusive and effective V2G solutions.
Lead Organization: Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
Objectives: WP4 is focused on providing an in-depth analysis of how legal regulation, in conjunction with other policy instruments, can facilitate the establishment and growth of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). This involves:
Description of Work:
Deliverables:
WP4 addresses the critical need for comprehensive governance and regulatory frameworks that support the adoption of V2G technologies and the development of PEDs. By analyzing existing policies and offering targeted recommendations, this work package aims to remove barriers and enhance the scalability of V2G solutions across different urban contexts.
Lead Organization: University of Deusto (UD)
Objectives: WP5 focuses on adapting an existing multi-agent simulation platform to the project's requirements, integrating knowledge generated from WP1-4, and simulating various V2G scenarios. The main objectives are:
Description of Work:
Deliverables:
WP5 is pivotal for applying the project's interdisciplinary research findings to realistic urban scenarios, offering critical insights into the feasibility, efficiency, and societal impacts of V2G solutions in urban districts.
Lead Organization: University of Tartu (UT)
Objectives: Work Package 6 focuses on assessing the socio-spatial applicability and impacts of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) solutions in urban neighborhoods, aiming to:
Description of Work:
Deliverables:
Work Package 6 is essential for ensuring that the benefits of V2G technologies are equitably distributed across different social groups, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Through detailed analysis and synthesis of social justice aspects, WP6 aims to provide a foundation for the development of inclusive V2G solutions that address the needs of vulnerable communities.