Towards solar-energy-assisted electric vehicle charging stations: A literature review on site selection with GIS and MCDM methods

Abstract

Transport electrification and renewable energy integration are essential for transitioning to a zero-carbon society. Electric vehicles (EVs) are seen as a solution to cut transport emissions, but the existing charging station network is insufficient, and the electricity is often largely supplied by fossil fuels. Therefore, a key question is how to design optimally located charging stations supported by renewable energy. Geographical information system (GIS) and multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) have proven to be powerful methods for site selection as they help manage geographical data, local characteristics and stakeholder preferences. These approaches have been successfully applied for solar or EV charging station site selection, but their use for solar-energy-assisted electric vehicle charging stations (SE-EVCS) is limited. As SE-EVCSs are of quickly increasing importance, this study developed a generic approach using GIS and MCDM to identify optimal locations for SE-EVCSs. A systematic literature review was performed to identify the relevant site selection criteria and MCDMs used so far. The proposed approach considers the most relevant criteria and their application in practice, analysing different use cases for city centres and urban areas. These criteria consist of solar irradiance, accessibility (roads and amenities), land availability/type, existing charging network, population densities, economic KPIs and technical energy factors, but their importance depends on the local context. The findings are expected to help city planners, plot owners, private charging operators and energy companies to select optimal locations for SE-EVCSs, and help researchers and practitioners design methods and criteria for tools supporting these site selection processes.