60176 - Gas Turbine Based Electric Vehicle Charging Station 

Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy over a century now. Associated with fossil fuels are the carbon dioxide and the other greenhouse gases (GHG) that they emit on burning will trap the heat within the atmosphere, thereby creating global warming. Transportation and power plants are the two major sectors to utilize fossil fuels like oil & gas, and coal extensively, whose carbon and particulate emissions impact the environment, causing air pollution. Transition towards electric vehicle (EV) is the key enabler for fighting against climate change as well as for sustainable future. However, to build more confidence on EV transition, availability of charging infrastructure is key. One of the important criterions for vehicle charging station is to have a stable electricity source that can meet varying charging demand. Today, most of the charging stations are dependent on grid energy, which may not be originating from green source, or they are dependent on renewable energy, which are intermittent, and their costs are still not competitive with electricity from fossils. The paper attempts to explore the eco-system of self-sustainable, quasi-renewable charging infrastructure, if not completely renewable, which can be setup in remote locations as well as in city limits.

This paper outlines a circular economy model for EV charging station (EVCS) using gas turbine from Baker Hughes portfolio. Proposed solution includes Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOE) and carbon capture units, integrated to the gas turbine. Presence of electrolysis unit in the system helps in bringing down the carbon footprint of gas turbine compared to stand-alone gas turbine unit. Efficient gas turbine exhaust energy recovery helps in improving the SOE efficiency. Carbon capture unit in the downstream of gas turbine captures the CO₂ present in its exhaust gas, thus eliminating the carbon emissions, making the solution carbon neutral. Feasibility of this solution is analyzed through energy and mass balance studies, followed by detailed economic analysis.

Proposed solution on EVCS can charge about 1500 EVs in half a day of operation. Solution is lucrative and has attractive return on investment. Proposed solution here is having high power density, compared to the actual renewable energy dependent charging stations. The system also has the flexibility to incorporate Power-to-X conversions. This solution is quasi-renewable, as the exhaust CO₂ is captured and gas turbine fuel is blended with hydrogen, and it is modular in nature which helps in implementing it in city limits as well as in remote locations, along the highways.