The increase use of electric vehicles could boost electricity energy peak demand by 3.5 gigawatts (GW) in the UK by 2030, National Grid stated.
In its yearly Future Energy Scenarios report, the grid operator stated it saw a sharp increase in the amount of electric vehicles, with sales anticipated to be over 90 percent of all cars by mid-century.
Because of that, electricity demand will boost, driven at first by electric automobiles and in the future by heat demand as the speed picks up to decarbonize the heating sector.
Peak electricity energy demand might even rise by as much as 8 GW by 2030 without “wise charging” throughout off-peak hours and 18 GW by 2050, National Grid stated.
The demand in the UK is presently around 50-55 GW in winter.
The 18 GW boost in peak demand would occur in a world that is quite rich, where customers would charge their vehicles at peak times, disregarding electricity tariffs that are less expensive throughout off-peak hours.
In a region where cutting greenhouse gas emissions is a leading concern, shared driverless cars could potentially comprise 50 percent of electric vehicles, National Grid stated.
With car sharing and off-peak charging patterns, demand may just increase by 6 GW by 2050, it included.
“The scenarios are not forecasts however they aim to be a driver for argument, decision making and change, and provide transparency to the wider market,” stated Marcus Stewart, head of energy insights at National Grid.
“This new age of network operation is interesting and manageable, but it’s essential there is investment in smart technologies and electricity facilities and a coordinated approach across the entire electricity system,” he included.
