Smart and Sustainable Off-grid Housing Powered by Vehicle to Anything (V2X) : An exploratory study to understand the innovation readiness and feasibility for off-grid living powered by Vehicle to Anything (V2X)

Sammanfattning: For the EU to reach net-zero by 2050, an increased rate of renewable energy generation is needed. Off-grid tiny houses serve as a sustainable housing option as they are energy conservative, and their primary source of energy is renewable energy. However, off-grid living is faced with challenges due to the seasonal energy imbalance caused by the intermittent characteristics of renewable energy. This thesis aims to explore the potential of reducing this energy imbalance by using an electric vehicle (EV) to charge the home when there is an energy shortage and charge the EV when there is an energy surplus. This concept is enabled by bidirectional charging, also referred to as “Vehicle to Anything” (V2X). The main research question is to understand if an off-grid tiny house supported by V2X can be self-sufficient on energy and what the prerequisites for usage are. The method for answering this research question is firstly by conducting a general study followed by a case study. In the general study, industry experts are interviewed and surveyed to assess the innovation’s technology, market, and regulatory readiness and attributes of the innovation related to potential adoption. Thereafter, a case study with a partner in Sweden offering stays in off-grid tiny houses was conducted. The aim was to understand the system dynamics of the energy balance for an off-grid tiny house with solar panels and a home battery when adding an EV.  Results show that it is regulatory unproblematic to connect an EV to power off-grid living today, and the technology is more ready than the market. To increase the readiness level of the innovation, standardization of equipment and communication is needed. The attributes of the innovation that supports adoption are that the EV is mobile and offers large storing capacity which increases flexibility and hence decreases dependency on renewable energy. However, setting up the off-grid system and following safety regulations can be considered complex. Thereto, the innovation is seen as most applicable for short-term stays and individual usage. Results from the case study show that the EV can theoretically prolong the season for off-grid tiny house living by 1-4 months by reducing the energy imbalance and increasing self-sufficiency. Moreover, the EV can increase the share of renewable energy that is being used by storing energy when there is excess solar energy available.  On a final note, to answer the main research question if off-grid living supported by V2X can become self-sufficient on energy and what the prerequisites are for usage, the study concludes that it is theoretically possible, but the innovation is dependent on all technology components being tested and validated together in an off-grid environment. The EV needs to have bidirectional capabilities and the home needs to be equipped with smart software and an inverter to control the charging and discharging. Thereto, there needs to be a business model that creates value confirmed by the market, both customers and industry actors. Lastly, from a regulatory point of view, the concept is feasible as long as the installation of the energy system follows Swedish safety regulations. The EV can then, according to the model, theoretically help to prolong the season by reducing the energy balance making the energy system self-sufficient on energy. The EV can be discharged as well as charged by the excess solar, and hence the smart bidirectional charging of the EV and the home can increase theshare of renewable energy available for use and reduce the energy imbalance. Implications of this thesis suggest increased access to off-grid living as the V2X technology can prolong the season for people living off-grid as well as for off-grid businesses in the hospitality industry. This would allow for increased business value and opportunities within both the housing and tourism industry. The findings also support sustainable development as the innovation increases resource efficiency of the EV as it can serve multiple purposes, including transportation, energy storage, and energy supply.