In recent years, the residential and transportation sectors have
made significant strides in reducing energy consumption, mainly by
focusing efforts on low-hanging fruit in each sector independently.
This independent viewpoint has been successful in the past because
the user needs met and resources consumed in each sector have been
clearly distinct. However, the trend towards vehicle
electrification has blurred the boundary between the sectors. With
both the home and vehicle now relying upon the same energy source,
interactions between the systems can no longer be neglected. For
example, when tiered utility pricing schemes are considered, the
energy consumption of each system affects the cost of the
other.
In this paper, the authors present an integrated Home-Vehicle
Simulation Model (HVSM), allowing the designer to take a holistic
view. Amongst other possibilities, this model allows a designer to
evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of multiple
retrofit alternatives, whether they concern modifications to the
home and its appliances, the vehicle, or any combination. A case
study is presented which investigates the economic and
environmental benefits which could be obtained from a set of
potential retrofit actions. These actions reflect the integrated
nature of the system and include: adding Photo-Voltaic panels,
introducing an electric vehicle, and updating home appliances with
intelligent control strategies. Through the consideration of both
systems jointly, it is shown that significant reductions in total
energy consumption, total utility cost, and total CO₂ emissions can
be realized.