Linking Clean Energy and Clean Mobility via Resilient Microgrids
The white paper commissioned by Schneider Electric delves into the integration of clean energy microgrids and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. It highlights the exponential growth of both EVs and microgrids, driven by rapid technological innovation and new financial business models. The document emphasizes the importance of energy-as-a-service (EaaS) models, which can provide microgrids around EV charging stations without upfront capital costs for end users. This approach shifts the risk of project performance to solution providers and their financial partners, making it a viable model for widespread adoption across the US as states commit to net-zero carbon goals. The white paper also discusses the evolving US EV landscape, noting the reduction in EV purchase costs due to advancements in battery technology and manufacturing capacity, and the need for active management of EV charging loads to prevent infrastructure upgrade costs and decrease grid balancing costs.