The Role of Renewable Energy to Promote Future Electric Transport and Power Systems

Book chapter, 2025

Modern societies rely heavily on transport systems, which often entail significant environmental and societal impacts. The growing demand for sustainable and climate-responsive solutions has led to a global increase in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), necessitating a solution for the associated charging demands and potential strain on the power distribution system (PDS). Addressing the charging demands of EVs is vital for their successful integration into transport systems. Research indicates that flexible EV charging strategies can significantly reduce cumulative electric demand. This chapter examines strategies for estimating spatiotemporal EV charging demands and the potential of renewable energy source (RES) integration to compensate for impending PDS strain. Furthermore, RES is essential for addressing electricity demand deficiencies and promoting clean energy usage. We review existing research on infrastructure planning in terms of spatial location and capacity for various types of RES. Ample studies have supported optimization strategies that integrate RES to meet power demands and refine EV charging strategies, contributing to a more sustainable and efficient transport system. This chapter highlights the potential of renewable energy to support transport electrification and lays a solid foundation for future research on impacts and strategy formulation tailored to specific contexts.