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The possibility of charging and possibly discharging electric cars can influence
not only the balancing of power demand profiles in the grid and the stabilization of voltage
profiles but also the appropriate management of electricity within the grid of an industrial
plant equipped with its own RES resources. For this purpose, the concept of “power supply
modes” can be introduced, which involves intelligent demand-side management. Each
technological process in an industrial plant should be assigned a specific level of importance
and priority. These priorities can be numbered according to their importance (weights)
and marked with appropriate colors. One thus obtains a qualitative assessment of energy
consumption within the plant (demand side) through the lens of power modes. With
respect to the ability to charge electric vehicles within the plant grid, such priorities can also
be assigned to individual charging options. If a given RES has sufficient generation capacity
during a particular time period, the cost of charging is low. However, if the RESs are not
operational during a given period (e.g., nighttime in the case of photovoltaics or during
calm weather in the case of wind turbines), vehicles can still be charged but according to
a different priority, which, of course, involves higher costs. By having access to data on
the generation capacity of distributed RESs and knowing the preferences of employees,
including the number of electric cars and the expected periods of vehicle charging, it is
possible to predict the degree of use of available green energy and manage it efficiently.
The analyses presented in the article represent an original approach to the flexibility of
operation not only of the electricity grid but also of the internal energy system of industrial
plants. It offers a novel perspective aimed at maximizing the share of RESs in the overall
energy balance and minimizing the costs associated with the operation of RESs. The
theoretical opportunity of sustainable sharing with employees a dedicated charging mode
named “free charging”, powered by RESs, could represent an appropriate solution for CO2
emission reduction within Scope 3, Category 3, “employee commuting”, according to the
GHG Protocol requirements. The original methodology proposed in the article aligns with
activities related to the energy transition.
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