Barriers and Solutions for EVs Integration in the Distribution Grid

The mass penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) could develop grid stability problems due to the increase of peak loads created by coincident charging factors. Smart charging is the control of the EV charging loads and has long been identified as a potential solution. Smart charging could also contribute to grid stability by mitigating the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation. This paper describes the current status of EV flexibility services at the distribution level. The analysis of the smart charging status is done considering the technological, economic and regulatory frameworks, and presenting what the different barriers of each of these aspects are. Additionally, the paper introduces the ACDC project (Autonomously Controlled Distributed Charger), which aims at developing an EV clustering method based on distributed smart charging control logic for flexibility services. For divulgation purposes, the scheduled test case scenario of the parking lot at the Technical University of Denmark is described. The paper concludes on some of the most relevant actions to overcome the most imminent barriers and to push further the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure towards the target EV penetration planned by policymakers.