This document summarizes a dissertation on electrifying surface transport in Oahu, Hawaii. It presents three scenarios for electric vehicle adoption rates from 2013 to 2045 and calculates the resulting reductions in fossil fuel emissions and potential increases in grid emissions. The key findings are that a high adoption scenario of 54% electric vehicles by 2045 could reduce emissions by 28 megatons of CO2, but this high rate is necessary to fully transition to electric vehicles and realize savings. However, increased electricity demand from electric vehicles risks negating these savings if the grid remains dependent on fossil fuels. Fully coupling electric vehicles with renewable energy generation, as aimed for in Hawaii's 100% renewable energy goal, is needed to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from
3. Context
ScotlandHawai’i
Edinburgh Centre for Carbon
Innovation (ECCI)
Orkney Electric Future
project
Global outlook
Increased EV rollout
Free parking + HOV
Target 100% renewable energy
by 2045
Economic benefits
63% State’s surface transport
1
Aim determine CO2 savings from surface electrification in Oahu, Hawai’i
Knowledge Share
4. Research Gaps
Scotland: 100% renewable by 2020
Hawai’i: 100% renewable by 2045
Gaps:
1. Added electricity to the grid and
2. Associated emissions
3. Decreased emissions from fossil fuel
vehicles
2
6. 4
Methods
Vehicle
Type
Scenario 1
2045
Scenario 2
2045
Scenario 3
2045
Electric
Cars 81,000 267,000 436,000
LGVs 12,000 41,000 66,000
Fossil Fuel
Cars 727,000 541,000 372,000
LGVs 111,000 82,000 57,000
Total Fleet
(BAU)
931,000 931,000 931,000
Projections
Passenger and LGVs from 2013-2045
Forecasted Population
Vehicle per capita rate
Back trajectory
Fossil Fuel Emissions
Fuel type and emission
factors
Table 2. Scenario Projections, rounded values
7. 5
Methods
Projections
Passenger and LGVs from 2013-2045
Forecasted Population
Vehicle per capita rate
Back trajectory
Fossil Fuel Emissions
Fuel type and emission
factors
Grid Emissions Calculations
Electricity Demand from EVs
Vehicle Miles Travelled (8, 760 mi/yr)
Average conversion rate (0.32 kWh/mi)
8. Key Results
Transition Period (100%) only feasible in Scenario 3
Assumption: RE supplies EVs Fossil Fuel Emissions
6
Figure 1. Projected emissions in 2045
9. Key Results
Transition Period (100%) only feasible in Scenario 3
Assumption: RE supplies EVs Fossil Fuel Emissions
7
Emissions Mt CO2
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
BAU 98 - 98 - 98 -
FFV 93 = 81 = 70 =
CO2 Savings 5 17 28
Table 3. 2013-2045 Sum Total Emissions
10. Key Results
Assumption: no RE Grid Emissions
8
Emissions Mt CO2
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
BAU 98 - 98 - 98 -
FFV 93 = 81 = 70 =
CO2 Savings 5 17 28
Grid CO2 emissions 5 17 27
Table 3. 2013-2045 Sum Total Emissions
Figure 2. Oahu’s ‘Stuck in the Middle’ electricity demand with added EV demand
18%
11. Key Results
Assumption: no RE Grid Emissions
9
Emissions Mt CO2
Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
BAU 98 - 98 - 98 -
FFV 93 = 81 = 70 =
CO2 Savings 5 17 28
Grid CO2 emissions 5 17 27
Table 3. 2013-2045 Sum Total Emissions
12. 10
Results Interpreted
January 2015 EVs
Reality: 2,382
Projected: 6,600 (S1); 18,200 (S2); 29,000 (S3)
0.19% EV fleet contribution 2013
HCEI analysis Booz Allen Hamilton (2008) reductions from BAU
EV uptake rate (69%) 4.3 Mt CO2 by 2030 (HI)
Scenario 3 (54%) 1.71 Mt CO2 by 2045 (Oahu)
Grid Carbon Intensity Scenario 3
Oahu must consider infiltration rates >54% to reduce GHGs
HB 623 great potential for EV adoption
13. Assumptions and Limitations
Datasets
Fleet data did not differentiate between exempt vehicles
7% variation between taxed
IRP ‘Stuck in the Middle’ Blazing a bold frontier (HB 623)
Vehicle Turnover Rate: 0.4% (linked with population growth)
IRP: annual growth rate for vehicles 4%
HCEI: 5% annually
Underestimated, but operational?
‘No RE’ 9% renewables currently Oahu (21% HI)
Fuel data show EVs on a rise, while gasoline vehicles
decreasing average 1.1% each month
11
14. Orkney
Hawai’iKnowledge Share
Scotland -- Hawai’i
Infiltration rates
Transition Period
Best practices (state-wide
and internationally)
Hawai’i limitations
Petroleum dependent
Requires coupled RE
generation
Demand over potential
12
Conclusions
Figure 3. Electricity potential supply and demand (GWh)
Caveats
Smaller population
Net exporter of RE
CO2 reporting
15. 1. Research required
RE coupling + Grid connectivity
Financial implications and incentives
2. CO2 emitted from utility sector nearly negated
potential CO2 savings
3. Transition Period to 100%: Rate >54%
4. HB 623 (100% RE by 2045)
Potential to save: 5, 17 and 28 Mt CO2
13
Conclusions: take-homes
According to the DBEDT (2013), the annual average vehicle miles travelled (VMT) in Oahu in 2013 was 8,706 mi per vehicle, including taxable and exempt vehicles for cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles, Meaning 24 miles per day. According to US DOE Fuel Economy Guide for 2015, the average midsize EV can travel 81 miles per charge.
The equation for calculating the emissions included: the Annual VMT (multiplied by) the number of vehicles by fuel type (multiplied by) the emission factor. This resulted in a value for kg emissions, which was converted into a more manageable value in megatonne (Mt)….
According to the DBEDT (2013), the annual average vehicle miles travelled (VMT) in Oahu in 2013 was 8,706 mi per vehicle, including taxable and exempt vehicles for cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles, Meaning 24 miles per day. According to US DOE Fuel Economy Guide for 2015, the average midsize EV can travel 81 miles per charge.
The equation for calculating the emissions included: the Annual VMT (multiplied by) the number of vehicles by fuel type (multiplied by) the emission factor. This resulted in a value for kg emissions, which was converted into a more manageable value in megatonne (Mt)….
Limitation, did not account for the 9% of RE. Mainly: wind, solar, biofuel, solid waste
Limitation, did not account for the 9% of RE. Mainly: wind, solar, biofuel, solid waste
Source: Braccio, Finch and Frazier, 2012; Hawaiian Electric Companies, 2013