Thank you to Alan Jenn, Associate Professor at UC Davis and affiliate at ITS UC Davis Electric Vehicle group, who presented Electric Vehicle Grid Integration: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for a Decarbonized Future at the Institute of Transportation Studies Transportation Seminar on Friday, October 10, 2025.
Abstract: Transportation electrification is reshaping both energy demand and emissions trajectories. This talk provides an overview of research on EV–grid interactions, with a focus on three areas: (1) how widespread EV adoption influences electricity consumption and system-level emissions; (2) the distribution grid challenges that emerge from localized charging demand, particularly in residential areas and multi-unit dwellings; and (3) opportunities to manage these challenges through smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) strategies. Our research shows how regulatory design, utility planning, and market incentives guide whether EVs strain the grid or provide new sources of flexibility and examines how forward-looking integration strategy can align transportation electrification with broader decarbonization goals while improving reliability and affordability.
Bio: Alan Jenn is an associate professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the University of California, Davis. He is also an active researcher with the Institute of Transportation Studies as part of both the Electric Vehicle Research Center and the Energy Futures Center. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a PhD in the department of Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) and has undergraduate degrees in Molecular and Cell Biology, Music, and Energy and Resources from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Alan Jenn’s research at the University of California, Davis, primarily focuses on the intersection of energy and transportation, with a special emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs) and their integration with the energy grid. His work critically evaluates the lifecycle emissions of EVs, considering factors like electricity generation and vehicle usage patterns. A significant portion of his research is dedicated to the strategic deployment of EV charging infrastructure, addressing challenges in urban planning and grid capacity.