This paper explores the integration of solar energy in mobility systems, specifically focusing on Solar-electric Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand (AMoD) systems. These systems utilize solar roofs installed on vehicles to generate solar energy, which directly contributes to their energy consumption. The goal is to optimize the operation of these autonomous vehicles in terms of serving passenger requests, charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operations. To address this optimization problem, the authors model the fleet management issue using directed acyclic graphs and formulate it as a mixed-integer linear program. This program can be solved using off-the-shelf solvers. The framework is then applied to a case study of Gold Coast, Australia, where the fleet's optimal operation is analyzed while considering electricity price fluctuations resulting from a significant integration of solar power in the total energy mix. The results demonstrate that incorporating a solar-electric fleet can lead to a reduction in the total cost of fleet operation by 10-15% compared to an electric-only counterpart. Additionally, the study reveals that for V2G operations using larger battery sizes can significantly lower operational costs by trading larger volumes of energy and even generating profits. Overall, this research highlights the potential benefits of integrating substantial solar energy components into mobility systems. By optimizing fleet management strategies and leveraging solar power generation from vehicle-installed solar roofs, it is possible to achieve cost savings and improve overall operational efficiency in Solar-electric AMoD systems.
- Solar energy can be used to power vehicles that transport people.
- Vehicles can have solar panels on their roofs to generate solar energy.
- Self-driving cars can be programmed to efficiently serve passengers, charge themselves, and use the electricity they generate.
- Math models can help manage a fleet of these solar-powered cars.
- Using solar energy in transportation systems can save money and make them work better.
Definitions
- Integration: Combining or adding something into a system or process.
- Solar energy: Energy from the sun that can be converted into electricity.
- Autonomous: Able to operate by itself without human control.
- Mobility: The ability to move around easily and quickly.
- Optimization: Making something work as well as possible with the available resources.
- Fleet: A group of vehicles owned or operated by an organization.
- Directed acyclic graphs: A way of representing relationships between different elements in a system using arrows that only go in one direction.
- Mixed-integer linear program: A mathematical problem-solving technique that involves finding the best solution for a set of equations with both whole numbers and decimals involved.
- Case study: An in-depth analysis of a specific situation or example.
Exploring the Benefits of Solar-Electric Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand (AMoD) Systems
The world is rapidly transitioning to renewable energy sources, and solar power has become a major player in this shift. This research paper explores the potential benefits of integrating solar energy into mobility systems, specifically focusing on Solar-electric Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand (AMoD) systems. These systems utilize solar roofs installed on vehicles to generate solar energy, which directly contributes to their energy consumption. The goal is to optimize the operation of these autonomous vehicles in terms of serving passenger requests, charging, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operations.
Modeling Fleet Management with Directed Acyclic Graphs
To address this optimization problem, the authors model the fleet management issue using directed acyclic graphs and formulate it as a mixed-integer linear program. This program can be solved using off-the-shelf solvers. The framework is then applied to a case study of Gold Coast, Australia, where the fleet's optimal operation is analyzed while considering electricity price fluctuations resulting from a significant integration of solar power in the total energy mix.
Results Demonstrate Cost Savings and Improved Efficiency
The results demonstrate that incorporating a solar-electric fleet can lead to a reduction in the total cost of fleet operation by 10–15% compared to an electric only counterpart. Additionally, V2G operations reveal that larger battery sizes can significantly lower operational costs by trading larger volumes of energy and even generating profits for operators.
Conclusion: Optimizing Fleet Management Strategies Leverages Solar Power Generation
Overall, this research highlights the potential benefits of integrating substantial solar energy components into mobility systems. By optimizing fleet management strategies and leveraging solar power generation from vehicle installed solar roofs it is possible to achieve cost savings and improve overall operational efficiency in Solar electric AMoD systems
This paper studies mobility systems that incorporate a substantial solar energy component, generated not only on the ground, but also through solar roofs installed on vehicles, directly covering a portion of their energy consumption. In particular, we focus on Solar-electric Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand systems, whereby solar-electric autonomous vehicles provide on-demand mobility, and optimize their operation in terms of serving passenger requests, charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operations. We model this fleet management problem via directed acyclic graphs and parse it as a mixed-integer linear program that can be solved using off-the-shelf solvers. We showcase our framework in a case study of Gold Coast, Australia, analyzing the fleet's optimal operation while accounting for electricity price fluctuations resulting from a significant integration of solar power in the total energy mix. We demonstrate that using a solar-electric fleet can reduce the total cost of operation of the fleet by 10-15% compared to an electric-only counterpart. Finally, we show that for V2G operations using vehicles with a larger battery size can significantly lower the operational costs of the fleet, overcompensating its higher energy consumption by trading larger volumes of energy and even accruing profits.
