Vehicles and blockchain: Electric Vehicles as actuators for power grid load optimization

In 2023, Electrical Vehicle (EV) accounted for around 18% of all cars sold globally, up from 14% in 2022 and only 2% in 2018. Moreover, nearly 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023, bringing the total number of EVs on the roads to 40 million [1]. This represents a 35% year-on-year increase compared to 2022 [2]. This widespread adoption of Electrical Vehicle (EV) brings both opportunities and challenges to modern power grids, especially in the areas of load management, security, and decentralized control [3]. This thesis explores the use of blockchain-based transactional systems to optimize power grid load by controlling token price dynamics. The proposed system leverages web3.0 technologies including blockchain, smart contracts, and Ethereum Request for Comments (ERC20) tokens to facilitate secure and efficient energy transactions between EVs and Charging Point Operator (CPO), using Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). This solution aims to provide an optimized charging mechanism where EVs can trade tokens for energy, based on a fluctuating Electricity Buying Rate (EBR), managed by grid operators[4]. The project’s foundation relies on Raspberry Pi devices, which simulate the primary off-chain clients, including the EV and CPO infrastructure. These clients interact with Ethereum blockchain-based smart contracts deployed on the Polygon network [5]. The EV client application, accessible through a web-based interface on the Raspberry Pi, securely manages token allowances and interacts with the blockchain via MetaMask . Additionally, the EVSE proxy client facilitates communication between the EVSE and the EV, as well as the blockchain components. Charging sessions follow a batch process, where each energy batch undergoes verification by the smart contracts before the subsequent batch begins. By tokenizing the energy exchange and using blockchain’s decentralized and immutable nature, the project addresses security and transparency challenges in EV charging. Additionally, the system demonstrates an approach to optimize power grid loads by adjusting the EBR, encouraging EVs to charge during periods of low demand and alleviating stress on the grid during peak load times [6]. Results from the simulation on the Polygon test network showcase the potential for blockchain technology to streamline EV charging while maintaining flexibility and scalability for future real-world applications. This work contributes to the growing body of research in blockchain-based energy markets, offering a blueprint for decentralized EV charging solutions that align with the broader goals of sustainable energy management and grid stability.