Efficient and robust power and energy management for large clusters of plug-in electric vehicles and distribution networks

In this paper, an efficient and robust power and energy management for large clusters of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and distribution networks is proposed. The method aims to minimise the charging cost of large clusters of PEVs in real time while ensuring distribution network normal operation and satisfying a large number of constraints from PEV level up to distribution network. The design of the method ensures very low dependence on forecast errors of critical quantities such as electricity price while it can be easily integrated with conventional optimal power flow algorithms. To this end, innovative virtual differential operation costs are assigned to clusters of PEVs. Moreover, an innovative definition of the flexibility of a cluster of PEVs to change its power is introduced while a simple idea based on the principle of the selection of the fittest is used to achieve efficient power dispatch to the PEVs with minimal computational requirements. The efficiency and the robustness of the proposed method are proved by detailed simulations of several operation scenarios of a realistic distribution network with large penetration of PEVs and renewable energy sources.