In this online engineering PDH course, many technical areas are identified for future use of photovoltaic electricity (PV) in transportation. The use of PV for transportation will become especially important as the U.S. transportation system becomes increasingly electrified and less dependent on fossil fuels and internal combustion engines. Technologies that enable wide-scale managed and coordinated vehicle battery charging show special promise for plug-in electric vehicles. When using hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by PV, fuel-cell electric vehicles have near-zero life cycle emissions. This form of “green hydrogen” is becoming increasingly cost-competitive as the price of wind and PV electricity continues to decline. This course is based on the following document: Ardani, Kristen, Chad Hunter, Caley Johnson, and Sam Koebrich. 2021. Maximizing Solar and Transportation Synergies. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. NREL/TP-6A20-80779. TP-6A20-80779. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/80779.pdf

Learning Objectives

• Recognizing principles of managing the grid, including charging protocols, high charge-rate infrastructure, and time-of-use rates
• Determining end of life impacts such as re-using vehicle batteries for stationary grid applications
• Characterizing beyond the grid applications, including on-vehicle PV, PV parking canopies, and dedicated PV electrolyzer plants
• Analyzing hydrogen transport and distribution challenges
• Viewing hydrogen production and storage as a general means of energy storage
• Knowing that airports have substantial land and roof space for PV applications
• Understanding maritime applications such as solar to fuel and solar shore power