Simulation of electric vehicles daily charging in a low-voltage network to reduce grid reinforcement needs

Abstract

The growing fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) in the low-voltage (LV) networks is an essential concern for the Distribution System Operator as it represents a significant increase in consumption thus potentially leading to costly grid expansions to prevent congestion. However, grid expansion can be postponed or even avoided if ‘smart’ solutions like load shifting are put in place. In this paper, we propose a methodology which simulates the EV daily trip- and charging profile with the consequent power flows in the electrical network. The smart-charging algorithm enables shifting the EV charging load in case of detected congestion. The algorithm is tested in an LV grid of a mountainous region in Slovenia. The algorithm is run for a typical week, with a 15-min resolution, with a Monte Carlo simulation performed to study the worst-case scenario. Finally, we analyse the results on the robustness of the grid and the benefits of the studied smart-charging algorithm.