Electric Vehicle Grid Integration
NREL is developing and evaluating fully integrated systems that connect electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, buildings, power grids, renewable energy sources, and behind-the-meter storage options.
In tandem, researchers are examining opportunities and impacts associated with a full range of charging technologies—from home-based Level 1 charging to extreme fast charging. NREL's EVI-X modeling suite of charging infrastructure analysis tools equips researchers with the integrated resources needed to conduct multifaceted analyses providing insight critical to the development of large-scale charging networks.
Integrated Energy Pathways
This research aligns with one of NREL's critical objectives.
Research and Development
EV smart charging at scale
Site-integrated EV charging
Wireless EV charging
Medium- and heavy-duty EV charging
EV grid impacts
Cybersecurity for EV grid integration
Publications
NREL researchers publish journal articles, conference papers, and reports about electric vehicle grid integration.
BROWSEIntegrated Data and Analysis Tools
Bolstered by world-class computational science and high-performance computing capabilities, NREL's integrated suite of data and analysis tools inform the development of innovative EV grid integration strategies.
EVI-EnSite: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – Energy Estimation and Site Optimization Tool
EVI-InMotion: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure – In Motion Tool
EVI-Pro: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection Tool
EVI-X Modeling Suite of EV Charging Infrastructure Analysis Tools
Fleet DNA: Commercial Fleet Vehicle Operating Data
HIVE: Highly Integrated Vehicle Ecosystem Simulation Framework
REopt: Renewable Energy Integration and Optimization Platform
TSDC: Transportation Secure Data Center
See our full collection of tools.
Facilities
NREL's EV grid integration research leverages state-of-the-art labs at the Energy Systems Integration Facility, drawing on crosscutting grid modernization and power system design capabilities in concert with world-class, high-performance computing capabilities.
Electric Vehicle Research Infrastructure Evaluation Platform
At the heart of NREL's EV grid integration research is the nationally unique Electric Vehicle Research Infrastructure (EVRI) evaluation platform, which enables researchers as well as industry and utility partners to study and develop optimal strategies for coordinating EVs with buildings, the grid, and other energy systems. Partners can bring in actual devices (charging hardware, vehicles, etc.) for performance evaluations under varying conditions, as was done during a series of high-power charging system evaluation events.
At EVRI, researchers are developing the control strategies needed to optimize a new generation of transportation technologies within the context of the larger energy ecosystem. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation capabilities integrate both vehicles and buildings from a charge-control standpoint.
Enabling the characterization and development of building-integrated extreme fast charging systems, EVRI houses flexible electrical infrastructure, including AC and DC charging with a variety of voltage systems; connection to grid and photovoltaic simulators and other distributed energy resources for grid interactivity research; real-time digital simulation (grid- and vehicle-side); and diverse charging and energy storage equipment, including four 350-kW chargers, four level-2 chargers, a 50-kW charger, and a 40-kWh battery energy storage system.