A simulation-based study for estimating the V2G potentials for and effects on autarky in German energy communities and quarters

This paper analyses the impact of selected parameters on the electricity autarky of a simulated residential area with regard to the electrification of the mobility sector. A theoretical quarter is simulated with various combinations of parameter variations with the aim of increasing the electricity autarky and solar usage of the system. We tested the share of electric vehicles, their different charging strategies (naïve, intelligent, and Vehicle-to-Grid), the proportion between low- and high availability driving profiles, the amount of roof-mounted photovoltaic capacity, and home storage. Results show that increasing photovoltaic capacity has an immense impact on increasing the autarky and decreasing the solar usage of our simulated system, though both plateau quickly. In contrast, the ratio between driving profiles has almost no impact on either autarky or solar usage. Finally, increasing electric vehicle numbers is a net drain for the autarky with a naïve charging strategy, which can be mostly mitigated with intelligent charging, while small amounts of electric vehicles can even increase autarky with Vehicle-to-Grid. The core finding of the simulations is that vehicle-to-grid can make home storage systems obsolete, but the legal basis for this still needs to be created by the government. • Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) can enhance energy autarky in living quaters. • Increased photovoltaic (PV) capacity has the strongest impact on energy autarky. • V2Q (Vehicle-to-quarter) can replace home storage and makes it obsolete from a holistic perspective. • Smart charging and V2G mitigate the negative impact of electric vehicles on autarky.