Harnessing the value of EV flexibility: How an electricity provider can create and capture value from EV demand flexibility

Abstract

As the energy system undergoes changes, new possibilities to both create and capture value emerges. Among the changes are increases in electricity demand from the electrification of transport. While electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to this increase in demand, their charging can also be used in a flexible manner to alleviate strain on the grid. When the demand flexibility of several EVs are aggregated, they can help support the electricity system through providing ancillary services to the transmission system operator (TSO). This thesis has examined how an electricity provider such as Circle K can create and capture value from positioning as an EV aggregator, providing ancillary services from demand flexibility. Through combining relevant documents with 19 interviews with industry actors and representatives from Circle K, several findings and implications have been discovered. First, a total of ten technical, regulatory, and financial barriers faced by aggregators were identified. Then, the ancillary service deemed as optimal for value creation was identified as Frequency Containment Reserve - Disturbance (FCR-D). Four main values were identified as being created for the end consumer: financial, environmental, societal, and information visualization. For value capture, it was found important to communicate the values to the customer efficiently, create a service that is easy to use and seamlessly integrated into the day-to-day charging experience, and to have access to capabilities within statistics and software. Finally, an appropriate revenue model was found to be bundling the service with charging equipment and electricity.