Integrating photovoltaic noise barriers and electric vehicle charging stations for sustainable city transportation

Photovoltaic noise barriers (PVNBs) offer a dual advantage of reducing traffic noise pollution and providing renewable electricity to cities. However, how the effective integration of PVNB-generated power into urban energy networks remains a critical area lacking research. To bridge this gap, this study proposes PVNBs-energy storage (ES)-charging station (CS; PVNBs-ES-CS) strategy. It can facilitate the actual consumption of PVNBs power and the mitigation the burden on the grid posed by electric vehicles (EVs) charging demands. The case study conducted in Guangzhou, China, reveals that PVNBs can support up to 5% of the total power demand for EVCSs. Under the PVNBs power maximization consumption scenario, PVNBs can meet up to 30% of the power demands from 60 EVCSs, with 58% of PVNBs generated power being consumed. In the PVNBs-ES-CS future utilization scenario, up to 30% of the power demand of 125 EVCSs can be met, and 36% of the power of PVNBs can be consumed. The combination of PVNBs and EVCSs offers a practical solution for incorporating renewable energy sources into urban energy networks. This application mode can be applied in various cities with EV demands and PVNB power generation data.