For California and other parts of the world to move towards a net-zero-emission grid, potentially a 100% renewable grid, complementary technologies to support renewable solar and wind integration need to be clearly established. Specifically, the integration of variable and intermittent solar and wind renewable generation requires resources that can respond dynamically to changes in the net load in order to ensure stable grid performance. Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), encompassing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), are uniquely positioned to (1) support variable renewable generation and provide benefits to the grid while, at the same time (2) reducing emissions from the transportation sector. Due to their disproportionately large contribution to air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, targeting heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) is essential if reduction goals are to be met. This work assesses the feasibility of heavy duty ZEVs (HD-ZEVs), selecting California as the example. From a technical standpoint, more than half of Class 3-7 vehicle miles travelled (VMT) can be met with heavy-duty BEV product in development today without trip modification. Class 8 trucks have a much lower BEV feasibility due to their longer trip distances and heavy-duty FCEV product becomes more likely. The challenge becomes providing carbon-free fuel, namely renewable electricity for HD-BEVs, and renewable hydrogen for HD-FCEVs. This study assesses the fuel supply chain impact of HD-ZEV deployment on GHG emissions and air quality for the year 2050. HD-BEVs relying on uncoordinated charging can increase peak load demand and hinder the target of achieving zero GHG emissions from the electric grid. Intelligent charging of HD- BEVs and renewable hydrogen production for HD-FCEVs are both effective methods for utilizing otherwise curtailed renewable generation for the support of a zero or near-zero emissions electric grid. This study also finds that moving towards an 80% reduction in GHG emissions from HDVs through ZEV adoption has the co-benefit of significantly reducing ozone and PM2.5 concentrations in key regions of California. In comparison, reducing grid emissions from an 80% reduction to a 100% clean electric grid has a significantly smaller, but not trivial, impact in criteria air pollutant concentrations.

Under global climate change, arid regions, like California, face higher temperatures and more extended droughts. In response, California is implementing policies for reducing GHG emissions from the electricity and transportation sectors, such as renewable and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) targets. Electricity and transportation have historically been treated as independent. However, emission strategies applied to either can affect both, as well as water resources, either aiding or hindering the advancement of mutual sustainability goals.

Expanding renewable utilization is increasing the need for stationary energy storage (SES) to manage renewable dynamics and shift energy to resolve the misalignment of supply and demand. The deployment of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to meet ZEV targets introduces a new variable load and, at the same time, an alternative grid resource that, with intelligent charging, can be utilized as to manage grid dynamics, thereby achieving high renewable integration and reducing both electricity and transportation emissions.

This research employs an integrated platform to evaluate SES and PEV strategies to meet sustainability goals. The role of SES to facilitate renewable integration and meet emission targets under different scenarios is investigated. This is accomplished by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of SES to reduce emissions at high renewables, and (2) examining the impact of intelligent PEV deployment on SES requirements to reach renewable targets. The impact of water-intensive renewable technologies is also discussed. It is determined that intelligent PEV deployment provides an opportunity to further electricity and transportation emission targets by improving renewable integration and providing zero-emission energy for vehicles.