Evaluation and optimal design of electric vehicle charging infrastructure based on renewable energies in Iranian metropolises toward sustainable urban transportation

Amrollahi, Mohammad Hossein

doi:10.22034/uep.2025.544946.1704

Evaluation and optimal design of electric vehicle charging infrastructure based on renewable energies in Iranian metropolises toward sustainable urban transportation

Document Type : Case Study

Author

Mohammad Hossein Amrollahi

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sciences and Modern Technologies, Urmia University of Technology, Iran

10.22034/uep.2025.544946.1704

Abstract

Given the critical challenges of air pollution and infrastructure limitations of distribution networks in densely populated metropolitan areas, this research focuses on developing localized strategies to improve sustainable consumption patterns. A case study of six major Iranian metropolises (Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Karaj, Shiraz, and Tabriz) serves as the basis for analyzing these strategies. This study designs and conducts a techno-economic assessment of renewable-energy-based electric vehicle charging stations. Using HOMER Pro software, three scenarios are simulated and analyzed: (1) charging stations connected to the urban electricity grid, (2) an off-grid hybrid renewable system (solar, wind, storage), and (3) a hybrid system composed of photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, battery storage, and grid connection.
The results indicated that the third scenario, the on-grid hybrid system, offers significantly better economic and environmental performance. In this configuration, the Net Present Cost (NPC) fell within a negative range between $2.01 and $3.23 million, indicating capital recovery and project profitability. The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) decreased to about $0.05/kWh, and annual carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by an average of over 1.5 million kg. These findings demonstrated that integrating solar and wind resources with battery storage in the form of smart microgrids not only ensures a reliable energy supply for charging stations but also reduces dependence on fossil-fuel-based power grids, improves economic efficiency, and significantly reduces air pollution in large Iranian cities. Therefore, the proposed model can be used as an effective solution for expanding electric transportation and achieving urban sustainable development goals.

Keywords

Charging Station Management and Optimization

Electric Vehicles

Iranian Metropolises

Renewable Energy

Urban Sustainable Transportation

20.1001.1.28212118.1405.7.4.3.5

Subjects

Urban planning

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