Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) present environmental and energy security advantages versus conventional gasoline vehicles. In the near future, the number of plug-in electric vehicles will likely grow significantly in the world. Despite the aforementioned advantages, the connection of PEV to the power grid poses a series of new challenges for electric utilities. This paper proposes a comprehensive approach for evaluating the impact of different levels of PEV penetration on distribution network investment and incremental energy losses. The proposed approach is based on the use of a large-scale distribution planning model which is used to analyze two real distribution areas. Obtained results show that depending on the charging strategies, investment costs can increase up to 15% of total actual distribution network investment costs, and energy losses can increase up to 40% in off-peak hours for a scenario with 60% of total vehicles being PEV.

Assessment of the Impact of Plug-in Electric Vehicles on Distribution Networks

As the number of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) increases, so might the impacts on the power system performance, such as overloading, reduced efficiency, power quality, and voltage regulation particularly at the distribution level. Coordinated charging of PHEVs is a possible solution to these problems. In this work, the relationship between feeder losses, load factor, and load variance is explored in the context of coordinated PHEV charging. From these relationships, three optimal charging algorithms are developed which minimize the impacts of PHEV charging on the connected distribution system. The application of the algorithms to two test systems verifies these relationships approximately hold independent of system topology. They also show the additional benefits of reduced computation time and problem convexity when using load factor or load variance as the objective function rather than system losses. This is important for real-time dispatching of PHEVs.

Coordinated Charging of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles to Minimize Distribution System Losses

This paper presents a comprehensive review and assessment of the latest research and advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) interaction with smart grid portraying the future electric power system model. The concept goal of the smart grid along with the future deployment of the EVs puts forward various challenges in terms of electric grid infrastructure, communication and control. Following an intensive review on advanced smart metering and communication infrastructures, the strategy for integrating the EVs into the electric grid is presented. Various EV smart charging technologies are also extensively examined with the perspective of their potential, impacts and limitations under the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) phenomenon. Moreover, the high penetration of renewable energy sources (wind and photovoltaic solar) is soaring up into the power system. However, their intermittent power output poses different challenges on the planning, operation and control of the power system networks. On the other hand, the deployment of EVs in the energy market can compensate for the fluctuations of the electric grid. In this context, a literature review on the integration of the renewable energy and the latest feasible solution using EVs with the insight of the promising research gap to be covered up are investigated. Furthermore, the feasibility of the smart V2G system is thoroughly discussed. In this paper, the EVs interactions with the smart grid as the future energy system model are extensively discussed and research gap is revealed for the possible solutions.

Electric vehicles and smart grid interaction: A review on vehicle to grid and renewable energy sources integration

Plug-in vehicles can behave either as loads or as a distributed energy and power resource in a concept known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) connection. This paper reviews the current status and implementation impact of V2G/grid-to-vehicle (G2V) technologies on distributed systems, requirements, benefits, challenges, and strategies for V2G interfaces of both individual vehicles and fleets. The V2G concept can improve the performance of the electricity grid in areas such as efficiency, stability, and reliability. A V2G-capable vehicle offers reactive power support, active power regulation, tracking of variable renewable energy sources, load balancing, and current harmonic filtering. These technologies can enable ancillary services, such as voltage and frequency control and spinning reserve. Costs of V2G include battery degradation, the need for intensive communication between the vehicles and the grid, effects on grid distribution equipment, infrastructure changes, and social, political, cultural, and technical obstacles. Although V2G operation can reduce the lifetime of vehicle batteries, it is projected to become economical for vehicle owners and grid operators. Components and unidirectional/bidirectional power flow technologies of V2G systems, individual and aggregated structures, and charging/recharging frequency and strategies (uncoordinated/coordinated smart) are addressed. Three elements are required for successful V2G operation: power connection to the grid, control and communication between vehicles and the grid operator, and on-board/off-board intelligent metering. Success of the V2G concept depends on standardization of requirements and infrastructure decisions, battery technology, and efficient and smart scheduling of limited fast-charge infrastructure. A charging/discharging infrastructure must be deployed. Economic benefits of V2G technologies depend on vehicle aggregation and charging/recharging frequency and strategies. The benefits will receive increased attention from grid operators and vehicle owners in the future.

Review of the Impact of Vehicle-to-Grid Technologies on Distribution Systems and Utility Interfaces

Electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources offer the potential to substantially decrease carbon emissions from both the transportation and power generation sectors of the economy. Mass adoption of EVs will have a number of impacts and benefits, including the ability to assist in the integration of renewable energy into existing electric grids. This paper reviews the current literature on EVs, the electric grid, and renewable energy integration. Key methods and assumptions of the literature are discussed. The economic, environmental and grid impacts of EVs are reviewed. Numerous studies assessing the ability of EVs to integrate renewable energy sources are assessed; the literature indicates that EVs can significantly reduce the amount of excess renewable energy produced in an electric system. Studies on wind–EV interaction are much more detailed than those on solar photovoltaics (PV) and EVs. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research.

Electric vehicles and the electric grid: A review of modeling approaches, Impacts, and renewable energy integration

https://www.iit.comillas.edu/docs/IIT-09-011A-Preview.pdf

Towards a future with large penetration of distributed generation: Is the current regulation of electricity distribution ready? Regulatory recommendations under a European perspective

The penetration level of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) has the potential to be notably increased in the near future, and as a consequence, power systems face new challenges and opportunities. In particular, PEVs are able to provide different types of power system ancillary services. The capability of storing energy and the instantaneous active power control of the fast-switching converters of PEVs are two attractive features that enable PEVs to provide various ancillary services, e.g., primary frequency control (PFC). However, concurrently, PEVs are obliged to be operated and controlled within limits, which curbs the grid support from PEVs. This paper proposes a new model for PEV using a participation factor, which facilitates the incorporation of several PEV fleets characteristics such as minimum desired state of charge (SOC) of the PEV owners, drive train power limitations, constant current and constant voltage charging modes of PEVs. In order to reduce computational complexity, an aggregate model of PEVs is provided using statistical data. In the end, the performance of PEVs for the provision of PFC is evaluated in a power system. Results show that PEV fleets can successfully improve frequency response, once all the operating constraints are respected.

/pdf/an-aggregate-model-of-plug-in-electric-vehicles-for-primary-42dvrw0p1o.pdf

An Aggregate Model of Plug-In Electric Vehicles for Primary Frequency Control

https://www.iit.comillas.edu/docs/IIT-14-121A-Preview.pdf

Distributed generation and distribution pricing : Why do we need new tariff design methodologies?

https://www.iit.comillas.edu/docs/IIT-12-046A-Preview.pdf

Pablo Frías

Papers

Assessment of the Impact of Plug-in Electric Vehicles on Distribution Networks

Towards a future with large penetration of distributed generation: Is the current regulation of electricity distribution ready? Regulatory recommendations under a European perspective

An Aggregate Model of Plug-In Electric Vehicles for Primary Frequency Control

Distributed generation and distribution pricing : Why do we need new tariff design methodologies?

Impact of vehicle-to-grid on power system operation costs: The Spanish case study