Flexibility from public electric vehicle charging to reduce redispatch demand in Germany

Electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to provide flexibility by adapting charging processes to the conditions of the energy system. This study assesses the flexibility potential of EVs charging at public charging points and its use for reducing grid congestion, i.e., redispatch demand, and its associated carbon emissions in Germany with a focus on the SouthWest control zone. The analysis combines data of public charging stations from 2022 and 2023 with respective redispatch activities and makes projections for the future until 2045. We identify a shifting potential of 9.8 GWh (2022) and 18.9 GWh (2023) and emission reduction potentials of 8.4 kt CO2 (0,6% of total redispatch CO2 emissions) and 15.8 kt CO2 (1.4% of total redispatch CO2 emissions), respectively. This potential will increase substantially until 2045, with a decreasing effect due to the gradual conversion of the power plant portfolio used for redispatch towards more carbon-friendly solutions.