Integrated PV-Storage-Charging: A smart energy solution to address the charging challenges in the era of electric vehicles

With the global energy structure transformation and the rapid development of electric vehicles (EVs), traditional charging stations are facing issues such as high electricity prices, pressure on grid expansion, and carbon emissions. The integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system, by integrating photovoltaic power generation, energy storage systems, and smart charging piles, constructs an efficient, low-carbon, and sustainable energy microgrid. This can significantly reduce operating costs and enhance the utilization rate of renewable energy.  

1. Background

The integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging solution refers to a small-scale power system composed of photovoltaic panels, energy storage devices, charging piles, and energy management systems (EMS), which can operate in parallel with the main grid or independently. It possesses technical characteristics of independent operation and self-regulation, and is widely applied in new energy vehicle charging and swapping stations, highway service areas, parking lots, industrial parks/logistics parks, remote areas, and off-grid islands.

As a type of microgrid technology, the fundamental purpose of photovoltaic (PV), energy storage, and charging technology is to adapt to the development needs of new energy transformation and new power systems, better integrate new energy into the power system, thereby increasing its proportion in the energy mix, reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels, and achieving rational distribution and efficient utilization of power resources in all aspects of source, network, load, and storage.

 2. System architecture composition

(1) Photovoltaic power generation system: It primarily consists of photovoltaic modules and photovoltaic inverters. Its main function is to convert solar energy into usable electrical energy, supporting the charging of electric vehicles and meeting the power supply needs of the grid.

(2)Energy storage system: Generally, it consists of a battery cluster + a power conversion system (PCS), which stores excess electric energy generated by photovoltaic power generation systems and releases it during peak electricity consumption periods, thus playing a role in peak shaving and valley filling, alleviating the load pressure on the power grid, and also providing a stable charging power source for new energy vehicles. For example, the Inventec industrial and commercial energy storage system adopts a standardized, modularized, and serialized design concept, featuring All-in-one high integration and supporting parallel operation of multiple machines. It can meet flexible deployment and configuration requirements, helping charging stations with peak-valley arbitrage, peak shaving and valley filling, dynamic capacity expansion, green electricity storage, and more.

(3) Charging Pile System: Depending on different charging technologies, charging piles can be categorized into DC charging piles and AC charging piles. INVT offers charging pile products covering the full power range from 3kW to 240kW. We are capable of providing customized charging strategies for various charging stations according to customer needs, ensuring comprehensive and adequate satisfaction of users' charging requirements in multiple scenarios.

(4) Energy Management System (EMS): Serving as the brain and intelligent dispatching hub of the photovoltaic (PV), energy storage, and charging system, it significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of energy resources such as PV and energy storage systems through real-time monitoring and intelligent optimization dispatching. At the load side, it precisely sets the usage strategy for each charging pile, ensuring that the grid load remains balanced, facilitating stable grid operation, achieving intelligent and refined management goals, and providing a solid foundation for the efficient operation of the photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system.

3. Application Scenarios

(1) New energy vehicle charging and swapping stations. In new energy vehicle charging stations, the integrated photovoltaic, storage, and charging system can utilize the electricity generated by photovoltaic power generation to charge electric vehicles, and smooth out power supply and demand fluctuations through the energy storage system. This model not only enhances the self-generation and self-consumption capabilities of the charging station but also alleviates grid pressure, especially during peak electricity usage periods.

(2) Expressway service areas. Expressway service areas typically cover a large area, and the electric vehicle charging stations within these areas can utilize an integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system to provide efficient charging services for passing vehicles.

(3) Parking lots. In urban parking lots, especially those in large commercial complexes or public parking lots, photovoltaic carports can be installed, integrating photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging. This model not only provides sunshade and rain shelter functions but also offers green energy charging services for parked electric vehicles.

(4) Industrial and commercial parks/logistics parks. Industrial parks/logistics parks typically have a large number of roofs and other idle spaces that can be used for installing photovoltaic panels. An integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system can help the park achieve energy supply, while also providing charging services for electric vehicles within the park.

(5) Remote areas/off-grid islands. In regions not covered by the power grid, the integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system can function as an independent power system, supplying power to residents and facilities.

4. Advantages and Values

 As a comprehensive energy solution, the integration of photovoltaic (PV), energy storage, and charging possesses the following distinct advantages and values:

(1) Improving energy utilization efficiency: By utilizing energy storage systems to store excess photovoltaic power generated during the day, the intermittency issues associated with photovoltaic power generation and new energy vehicle charging are addressed, thereby enhancing the utilization efficiency of renewable energy.

(2) Reducing grid pressure: The integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system can achieve "on-site power generation and on-site consumption", reducing dependence on the grid. Especially during peak electricity consumption periods, it can help alleviate the load pressure on the grid.

(3) Reducing electricity costs: Through peak shaving and valley filling strategies, users can charge their energy storage systems during periods of low electricity prices, reducing electricity consumption during peak price periods and thereby lowering electricity costs.

(4) Environmental protection and sustainable development: The integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging system fully utilizes solar energy, which can further reduce the use of fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions, contributing to the early achievement of the global carbon neutrality goal.

5. Summary

The integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging solution achieves an efficient operation mode of "photovoltaic priority, energy storage regulation, and intelligent charging" through optimized energy dispatch, offering significant economic and environmental benefits. It can be combined with V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) and AI load forecasting to further enhance system revenue. In the future, with the popularization of new energy vehicles and the advancement of the "dual carbon" goals, the integrated photovoltaic, energy storage, and charging solution will become an important technological direction for the development of charging piles, promoting the green transformation of the energy structure.